Your oral health should be at the top of your list this holiday season. You’ll likely be eating, drinking and celebrating more than usual in the next month but that doesn’t mean you should let your oral care fall by the wayside. You’ll also want to make a great impression on the people you meet and a healthy smile is a big part of that.
If your smile isn’t quite where you want it to be, then we have some tips you can use to start fixing things right now. Some recommendations you might already know (oral care routine), but others are dentist approved methods of getting your smile ready to spread some holiday cheer.
Without further ado, let’s get into it.
Quick and easy healthcare tips for a great smile
This section details what you need to be doing at home to clean up your smile and to keep it looking great. It’s not only about looking good, but also about feeling that way too and enjoying overall health.
Brush your teeth after meals
We all know we need to be brushing our teeth at least twice a day (in the morning and at night), but it’s also recommended to brush after meals. That’s because eating leaves your mouth full of food particles that become food for bacteria and let them thrive. After you eat, wait about twenty minutes, but then gently brush your teeth to get rid of the bacteria causing debris. If brushing isn’t convenient, then a thorough rinse will help significantly as well. A bacteria free mouth is a healthy mouth, and this is a great first step to realizing this goal.
Stop your bad habits
We often have more bad habits than we’d like, and it’s obviously not realistic to get rid of all of them (at once anyways). However, when it comes to your teeth, there are a few that you definitely should kick so your smile can shine like it should.
If you’re a smoker (cigarettes, cigars, cannabis) this is a great place to start. Not only is smoking bad for your overall health, it’s awful for your mouth. The tar and other contents of the smoke will stain your teeth, leaving them yellowed, and have a negative impact on your gums. Smoking can cause gum recession, bad breath, oral cancer, and a smile that loos less than perfect.
Next on the bad habit list are the things you eat and drink. This includes staining foods like blueberries and tomatoes – which are actually good for your health, but they do stain your teeth. After you eat foods like this, make sure to rinse or brush your teeth to avoid increased staining. Likewise drinking coloured beverages like coffee, dark teas and red wine will cause heavy staining on your teeth. Cut these things to a minimum and rinse/brush after consuming to keep your teeth looking white.
Cut down on your sugar intake
Sugar is the favourite food source of the bacteria in your mouth. If you eat or drink a lot of sugary stuff, then your teeth could suffer. Damaged tooth enamel, cavities, staining and more are common on a high sugar diet. Try to satisfy your sweet tooth in other ways and remember to rinse or brush after consuming anything sugary.
Book a teeth whitening appointment
If your teeth aren’t as bright as you’d like them to be, then making a teeth whitening appointment with your dentist is a great way to fix the problem. Especially during the holiday season, when you might be seeing people you haven’t seen in a while, it would be nice if you could make a good impression. At least visually that is, your dentist can’t help with your table manners.
Use a charcoal toothpaste
Adding an activated charcoal toothpaste to your cleaning routine can help reduce unwanted stains and get your teeth looking fresher. Don’t stop using your normal toothpaste though, instead follow up your regular brushing with a quick charcoal scrub.
Dental veneers can help
While having dental veneers installed isn’t a one appointment thing, they are an amazing way to upgrade your smile. Our dentist at Martindale Dental explained that veneers allow you to choose the exact shade you want your teeth to be and will also help fix other issues like chips, cracks and gaps. There’s a reason why this is the number one cosmetic dental treatment in Hollywood.
Visit your dentist
This recommendation comes in two parts; first make sure you’re booking regular cleaning appointments to keep your teeth plaque free and your mouth healthy, and second, to get advice on how to keep your teeth looking their best. Nobody knows how to make your teeth shine better than your dentist, so stop speculating and get the professional advice that counts.
We hope you have a fun holiday season, and that you can show off a smile to match. It’s easier than you think to get your mouth in shape, so don’t wait and get started today.
