7 Tips For Healthy Teeth And A Great Smile

Mandy Kloppers
5 min readSep 29, 2023

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Dental health is an important part of your well-being, and a confident smile reflects how well you’re treating your molars. The perfect smile doesn’t come from good genes; it’s guaranteed simply by following basic dental care routines. From preventing cavities to preserving gum health — dental care can take many shapes and forms. Taking charge of your oral hygiene by following these simple tips protects you from digestive problems, cardiovascular issues, and many other health concerns.

Taking care of your teeth isn’t that difficult. It’s just about creating a routine and then sticking it to. Without further jibber-jabber, here’s how you can keep a set of healthy teeth for a brilliant smile:

Keep yourself hydrated

Hydration is key to optimal dental health. Drinking water washes away any prowling bacteria and keeps your mouth clean. It prevents plaque build-up by diluting the acid from food and drinks and protects the enamel. If your local water supply contains fluoride, then that’s a plus! Fluoride will remineralize your enamel layer and reverse the early signs of cavities.

Also, since dry mouth is caused by the decreased production of saliva, drinking water can tackle this problem and eliminate bad breath.

Schedule dental appointments

Maintain good dental health by visiting your dentist at least twice every year. If you are facing other dental problems, such as crooked or misaligned teeth, look for a reliable orthodontist in your area. An experienced and well-reviewed orthodontist will guide you through orthodontic treatment, i.e., braces and Invisalign. You can get attentive, compassionate, and personalized orthodontic care by contacting Woodard Orthodontics and requesting a consultation online in different locations.

At Woodard Orthodontics, you can get flexible payment plans so you can afford to get braces. And that is how you treat crooked and misaligned teeth for a dazzling, confident smile.

Brush and floss every day

Proper brushing and flossing are the foundation of dental hygiene. Many Americans are extra careful about brushing. Anyhow, here’s why brushing is so important:

Brushing and flossing: Twice a day, you need to brush your teeth to remove any food particles stuck between them. Keep brushing for 2 minutes to ensure you’re not leaving any plaque behind. But toothbrush bristles have limited reach; flossing can reach the plaque concealed from the brush. Flossing can be done just once a day.

Cleaning your tongue: Don’t forget about your tongue’s cleanliness when brushing your teeth. Don’t let that yellow layer of foul-smelling bacteria develop on your tongue. It contributes to bad breath. Clean your tongue properly by using the back of your toothbrush and boost your dental hygiene.

Using fluoride toothpaste: This substance is found in many toothpastes, and you should always buy a brand containing fluoride. That’s because fluoride makes your enamel stronger.

Also, brush your teeth the right way. Data shows that 1 out of 4 people hate their smile due to having poor brushing habits. That’s why you should learn to brush your teeth properly.

Avoid sugary foods and drinks

Does it hurt when you drink fizzy drinks? Well, that may be a sign of early tooth damage. Some bacteria live around your teeth and, when exposed to sugar, release an enamel-damaging acid in just under 20 minutes. Drinking a sugary drink occasionally won’t cause any permanent damage to your teeth, but excessive consumption is a death sentence to your dental hygiene.

Even some yogurt products, sports beverages, and energy drinks contain dangerous amounts of sugar. That’s why you should be cautious about avoiding sugary foods and drinks.

Eat tooth-friendly foods

Some foods promote amazing dental hygiene, while others contribute to tooth decay. You can find an online list of foods bad for oral health online.

Foods to eat: Avoid eating too much citrus, dried fruits, sour/sticky candy, and potato chips. These things leave behind a lot of sugar stuck on your teeth. Similarly, avoid chewing on ice if you’re drinking alcohol.

Foods to avoid: Salmon is a great source of Vitamin D, while onions kill the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Broccoli prevents enamel erosion, and celery treats dry mouth. Cheese will give you lactic acid for better dental health, and carrots reinforce the enamel on your teeth by providing Vitamin A.



Stop smoking or drinking

It’s a no-brainer that smoking and drinking will ruin your teeth and harm your smile. Here’s a brief breakdown of how these two nasty habits destroy oral health.

Smoking: Smoking forces healthy gums to recede and creates pockets where germs can hide. This habit will loosen your teeth, decrease saliva production (i.e., dry mouth), and amplify the chances of mouth cancer. The harmful impact of smoking is pretty noticeable in your smile; it will have a huge impact on your social life.

Drinking: Many cocktails have dangerous amounts of sugar that eventually ruin your enamel and lead to tooth decay. Alcohol stains your teeth and causes dry mouth; heavy drinkers are most at risk for this problem. As alcoholic beverages will disrupt the microbiome in your mouth, your gum health can decrease significantly. You should protect your oral hygiene by overcoming your alcohol addiction.

Experts recommend no more than 2 drinks for men and 1 for women per day.

Prevent dental emergencies

Even if you’ve taken great care of your dental hygiene, chipped or broken teeth can make a great smile look weird. For instance, many people have chipped their teeth trying to open bottles, and dentists discourage doing this. Some dental emergencies come from:

— Awkward eating habits

— Opening bottles with your teeth

— Cutting up packages with your mouth

— Remove food particles stuck in your teeth by flossing

— Tripping, falling, or bumping into objects may be harmful

— Overzealous chewing often has unexpected consequences

— Biking, skateboarding, ice hockey, and even yoga poses can be dangerous

— Attempting stunts or tricks without proper caution leads to dental injuries.

You should protect your teeth by wearing mouthguards when playing sports. Limit dental emergencies, but if you chip your tooth, contact your nearest dentist for proper dental care.

Conclusion

A well-cleaned and cavity-free set of teeth guarantees a dazzling smile that pleases people and makes you appear more appealing to them. Taking care of your teeth isn’t rocket science; you must brush and floss daily. Also, avoid eating or drinking sugary substances to avoid cavities in your teeth. If you have a dental emergency, contact a reliable orthodontist for a checkup.



Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash

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Mandy Kloppers
Mandy Kloppers

Written by Mandy Kloppers

Author, psychologist & blogger. Love tea, underdogs,kind people & my bed … CBT Counsellor/ Blog: www.thoughtsonlifeandlove.com

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