Is there such thing as a so-called perfect smile? If you look at Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson or Julia Roberts then you would certainly believe in the idea of a perfect smile – remember, they have spent a hefty sum of money for their smile, and you don’t have that kind of money.
What you must realize is that it is far more important to have a healthy smile than a perfect one.
You may be wondering now what exactly entails a healthy smile. Well, first, it is one that will last a lifetime. Second, a healthy smile suggests that you are generally healthy everywhere else. Third, you are not experiencing any type of oral pain.
Of course, we all desire to have straight, white teeth, which can be achieved by taking better care of your pearly whites. Unsure how to do so? Your dentist will definitely tell you next time.
Here are four tips from dentists for a healthy smile:
1. Always Rinse Your Mouth After Meals
Whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner, you should always take the time to rinse your mouth after meals. If you’re in a restaurant, excuse yourself to the washroom. If you’re at home, go to your bathroom and perform this act. Rinsing your mouth helps remove some of the leftovers that get stuck in the back of your teeth, which also helps with your flossing endeavours.
Are you experiencing toothaches and did a dentist recently discover a cavity? No wonder why! Your daily diet consists of three cans of soda pop per day, a chocolate bar as your two o’clock snack and doughnuts for dessert – let’s face it: you’re not flossing as much as you should.
Moving forward, you need to begin paying attention to what you imbibe on a regular basis. No one is denying you a delicious treat occasionally, but if you have a daily intake of white sugar then you are going to suffer the side effects. You don’t have to quit sugar, but limit the amount.
2. Sport a Mouth Guard When Being Active
This is something new that dentists are recommending: block blows to the teeth by wearing a mouth guard. In recent years, many school teams are now requiring their students to sport mouth guards to protect their teeth.
You have two options in this case: a dentist can produce a customized mouth guard or you can purchase a mouth guard at a sporting goods store.
It isn’t too expensive, but even so, it is something great to have if you’re regularly active.
3. It’s Important What You do at Home
Right now, you’re thinking that the only way to get the best teeth possible is to spend thousands of dollars on oral work. Not so. The best investment you can make is what you do at home.
This should include brushing two times a day, flossing every single day and rinsing your mouth with Listerine before you go to bed. If you maintain this type of regimen moving forward then you don’t have to worry about getting cosmetic work done or installing dental implants.
4. Make Regular Visits to the Dentist
It is true that not everyone can afford to see the dentist on a regular basis – this means about three to four times per year. With that being said, it is something crucial for your health, and if you can make concessions elsewhere in your monthly budget, then you should see the dentist at least twice a year. This is an investment in your oral health.
The visit to the dentist is just as important as the visit to your family doctor. Like a family doctor, a dentist can diagnose certain things that you, or even Google, are unable to. Yes, it is costly to book an appointment with the dentist, but if you value your oral health and want to prevent losing your teeth in your old age then it is a worthwhile investment.
