It has often been said that a beautiful smile can light up a room, and the writer Max Eastman was telling the truth when he said: “A smile is the universal welcome.” It is also, of course, a wonderful way to build your confidence and self-esteem – some people start their day by smiling at themselves in the mirror, and they say it works wonders.
Of course, if you want that beautiful smile, you have to help it along by looking after your mouth and your teeth as part of your health routine. Here are a few things to consider in order to achieve good, consistent oral health.
Get professional treatment
A reputable and trusted dentist should be the only sort of dentist you ever visit, and one good indication of the quality of dental health care is the underlying philosophy of a practice. For example, if you check out the Facebook (FB) page for Kool Smiles, you will notice that the practice believes in providing care for families and children in underserved communities.
Kool Smiles is also willing to provide care to those with simpler insurance plans, such as Medicaid, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and Tricare. Add to this the fact that the company delivers oral health education programs in partnership with community schools, and it’s evident that this is one practice with ethical standards and principles. The Kool Smiles FB page also encourages you to see a dentist for a basic checkup every six months, and you can make an appointment right there and then online.
Prevent dental damage
The World Health Organization has targeted the consumption of too much sugar as a cause of obesity, but, of course, sugar is also the cause of tooth decay and the enemy of good oral health. Dentists recommend eating no more than the equivalent of four teaspoons of added sugar per day, and they also suggest you avoid eating acidic food and drinks, which are known to erode tooth enamel.
Junk foods can cause cavities, so it’s important to make sure your teen brushes and flosses if they’ve been to a pizza party or out with friends. The same goes for trends such as having lip or tongue piercings – these can cause gum damage, infections, and chips in the teeth. Make sure your teen knows the risks and understands they will have permanent holes if they’re clamoring to have a piercing.
Smoking cigarettes is, of course, as bad for your mouth as it is for every area of your body. It adversely affects the supply of blood to your gums, which can cause disease and is one of the principal reasons for tooth loss. Smokers are advised to have their teeth cleaned professionally every two to three months, and, in fact, a dental scale and polish is recommended for everyone three times per year as a minimum.
Injuries to your gums and teeth can happen during sports activities. It’s important, therefore, to always wear a mouth guard for protection if you’re a keen sports enthusiast.
Develop a good dental routine
If you plan to start your day with a smile, build your smart dental routine around this. Brush for at least two minutes every morning and evening, and floss twice per day, tensioning your floss tape at an angle so that you are getting around the corners of the teeth and not just moving up and down.
Opinions on the effectiveness of mouthwash vary, but in any case, most should not be used every day or longer than two weeks as they can then begin to damage your teeth. Take care of your oral hygiene, and you’ll be rewarded with a stunning smile.
