There is perhaps nothing more attractive than a healthy, happy smile. As well as being physically beautiful, a healthy mouth is often a signifier of your overall general good health. However, it is all too easy for your teeth to sustain some damage, whether due to poor oral hygiene or general wear and tear. If you want to get your pearly whites back into good condition, read on to discover four ways you can achieve a healthy smile.
1. Brush twice a day
Brushing twice a day is the first thing you learn about oral hygiene as a child, and you might think that it is too obvious to state here. However, when life gets hectic, and you constantly return home from work exhausted, it can be all too easy to fall behind on your brushing regime. Make an effort to re-establish regular brushing as part of your daily routine. Set a timer on your phone to ensure that you are brushing for the recommended three minutes. If you find the taste of minty toothpaste off-putting, there are now a number of different toothpaste flavours you can try. Cinnamint, liquorice, and lemon are all delicious toothpaste flavors that will spice up your brushing routine.
2. Start flossing
If you don’t already floss, now is the time to start. Flossing removes plaque and food that is stuck in the hard-to-reach crevices of your teeth, preventing it from deteriorating in your teeth and damaging your enamel to cause cavities. There are different types of flossing tools you can use to clean your teeth; check out Kent Express Dental Supplies at kentexpress.co.uk for more information about which type will best suit you. For example, people who find traditional flossing tape difficult to use, especially on molars, might get on better with floss harps.
3. Visit your dentist regularly
If you have been left traumatised by scary visits to the dentist as a child, you might now avoid going for regular check-ups as an adult, instead only seeing your dentist if you require urgent dental treatment. However, it is important that your dental hygiene is monitored through regular check-ups, and you will find that most modern dentists are airy, positive establishments rather than the horror locations of your youth. Your dentist will be able to identify any potential problems and fix them before they become serious. For instance, a small cavity can be easily filled in before it grows larger and damages the integrity of the surrounding teeth.
4. Visit a hygienist
A dental hygienist often works in tandem with a dentist to provide preventative treatment to keep your teeth and gums healthy. They will demonstrate the most effective methods of brushing and flossing your teeth to remove as much harmful food debris as possible. They will also professionally clean and polish your teeth by removing plaque and tartar, so that you leave your dental clinic with the feeling of a clean, fresh mouth and armed with the information to upkeep your dental hygiene.