4 Tips for a Healthier Smile

We all know the importance of regular dental check-ups to ensure our oral health. But what can you do between dental visits to keep your smile healthy? Here we present you with four tips to help you maintain a healthier smile.

1. Brush Your Teeth

You’ve heard this your entire life but did you know there is a wrong way and a right way to brush? With a soft or extra-soft-bristle toothbrush held at a 45° angle use short strokes, back and forth, over every surface of your teeth-front, back and sides. Brush gently but thoroughly. Never use harsh strokes as that may cause gum damage. For a healthier smile, make sure to brush at least twice per day and replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles show wear.

2. Floss Like a Boss to Protect Your Healthier Smile

The importance of flossing cannot be stressed enough. Flossing is especially important as you age. Debris gets lodged between your teeth and detracts from your smile by promoting tooth decay. But did you know flossing helps prevent gum disease as well? Gum disease leads to loss of teeth and impacts your overall health. As your gums weaken bacteria seeps below the gum line and degrades bone tissue. The bacteria enters your bloodstream and can even cause your heart health to suffer. Flossing helps you maintain a healthier smile and a healthier you!

3. Avoid Certain Foods and Beverages

What you eat, drink and your overall lifestyle habits prevent you from having a healthier smile. Sugar-heavy foods and drinks cause plaque to build up and should be enjoyed at a minimum. Coffee doesn’t just stain your teeth but is considered an acidic beverage that damages the enamel. Alcoholic beverages may also degrade your healthier smile. Wine is acidic and red wine causes stains. Mixed drinks are often sugary, and beer’s carbonation also impacts your tooth enamel. The best remedy when you eat or drink anything that may cause damage to your healthier smile is to rinse your mouth out with a dental rinse or good old h20. Brush when you are able but not immediately after enjoying something acidic. Brushing immediately may seem like the way to prevent damage to your enamel however sometimes you simply spread the acid around. Wait about an hour then brush. Smoking isn’t just bad for your overall health; it can be specifically detrimental to your oral health as well. Smoking discolors your teeth and is a significant cause of gum disease and oral cancers. Just don’t smoke! So what foods and beverages are best for your healthier smile? Water is the obvious choice for quenching your thirst and maintaining good health. Snacking on crunchy fruits and vegetables keeps your smile strong and the high water and fiber content in fruits and veggies keep your teeth clean by encouraging chewing. Chewing also creates saliva which prevents bacterial build-up.

4. Stick to A Routine for A Healthier Smile

Keep up a routine of oral care for your healthier smile. Brush at least twice a day, floss, maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle and most of all, see your dentist regularly. Bliss Dental cares about your oral health and your beautiful smile. We have two locations to serve you in the Dallas area. For a healthier smile contact Bliss Dental today! Image: Pexels