A confident smile comes from being sure of yourself. It makes you happy and brightens your day. But having damaged or poor teeth can stop you. Luckily, you do not have to spend a lot of money to get a better smile. For a beautiful smile every day, try these easy ways to take care of your teeth.
If you want to add a professional touch to your life in Houston, you might want to see a Houston dentist for regular checkups and personalized tips on how to keep your smile healthy.
For a beautiful smile every day, try these easy ways to take care of your teeth.
How to brush like a pro for a brighter smile.
A good smile starts with brushing your teeth. But are you really brushing your teeth as well as you could? Here is how to brush your teeth like a pro:
- You should brush twice a day.
If possible, brush your teeth in the morning and before bed. Even better is to brush your teeth after eating, but wait at least half an hour to an hour. So, your saliva can wash away any extra food and harden your tooth enamel again since eating can soften it.
- Brush for two minutes.
A lot of people do not brush their teeth long enough. Time yourself for two minutes and brush all the way around each tooth. Do not forget the back! Brush your teeth all the way to the gum line in a gentle circle motion.
- Choose the right brush.
Pick a toothbrush with soft bristles that fits well in your mouth. Every three months, or sooner, if the bristles get worn, you should get a new brush.
- Use the right amount of power.
Do not scrub too hard! If you brush too hard, you could hurt your gums and teeth. The bristles on your toothbrush are specifically designed to clean your teeth, so you do not need to apply additional pressure. Simply let the bristles do their thing.
Floss regularly for a flawless smile.
When you floss, you get rid of food and plaque buildup between your teeth that you can not get to when you brush. Here is the right way to floss:
- Pick the best floss for yourself.
There are different kinds of floss, so pick one that feels good in your mouth. If regular flossing is too hard for you, floss picks or water flossers may be better.
- Floss gently.
Put about 18 inches of floss between your fingers. Carefully wrap the floss around each tooth and scrape the sides to get rid of plaque. If the floss gets stuck, do not try to push it out. Instead, try a different method.
- Floss every day.
It is best to floss once a day, right before bed. Flossing gets rid of the food particles stuck between your teeth, and your toothbrush may not always be enough. Start flossing and stick to your routine!
Mouthwash adds the finishing touch.
Mouthwash can help kill germs in your mouth and make your breath smell better. But it should not be used instead of flossing and cleaning. Here is how to use mouthwash the right way:
- Swirl it in your mouth, but do not swallow.
Pour a little mouthwash into your mouth and swirl it around for 30 seconds. Do not swallow. Do not drink it; spit it out!
- Choose the best mouthwash for yourself.
Pick a mouthwash that does not have alcohol in it to keep your mouth from drying out. Look for items that have ingredients that get rid of plaque and make your breath smell better.
Additional tips for a brighter smile.
- To get a brighter smile, eat foods that are crunchy, like apples, carrots, and celery. These foods help remove plaque like natural cleaners.
- Water is important. A lot of water throughout the day makes your mouth hydrated and gets rid of food bits.
- Limit drinks with a lot of sugar. Sugar feeds the germs in your mouth that make plaque and cavities. Avoid sports drinks, sodas, and juices that are high in sugar.
Getting regular dental checkups is important for keeping your smile healthy. Hacks can be useful, but regular cleanings and early detection are very important.
