How to enhance your smile
People's teeth affect both their physical and psychological well being. In addition to helping them to smile, and to speak clearly and coherently, they also enable them to break down the food they eat, so that their body can begin the process of digestion. Additionally, the condition of a person's teeth can affect their overall physical appearance; missing teeth can actually altar the shape of the face, causing skin bunching and sunken cheeks. Moreover, severely discoloured, crooked or chipped teeth can often negatively affect a person's perception of themselves, and lead to low self-esteem. For all of these reasons and more, it is essential to look after your teeth; here, we offer a few pieces of advice on how to do this.
Master the basics
A consistent and thorough daily dental hygiene routine is an absolute must if you want to prevent oral diseases, and keep your smile in tip-top condition for the rest of your life. The website Dental Health recommends that people brush their teeth at least twice a day, using a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Additionally, you should use floss or inter-dental brushes each night, to clean out any food particles between your teeth that your toothbrush may not have caught.
Pay a visit to your dentist
Regular trips to your dentist for check-ups and teeth cleaning will also greatly enhance your smile, by helping to reduce the risk of stain build-up and tooth loss. During a check-up, your dentist will carefully examine your teeth, looking for things such as tartar, cavities, gingivitis and other signs of decay and oral disease. Depending on what they find, they may then recommend further treatment. They will also usually carry out a teeth cleaning, during which they will remove tartar build-up and polish the teeth to remove stains. Ideally, you should visit your dentist for a routine check-up and cleaning every six months.
Keep your teeth pearly white
Whitening your teeth can have a surprisingly significant effect on your general appearance, and is a relatively simple way to enhance your smile. The first step towards a brighter smile is to avoid drinks like red wine, tea and coffee, as these contain tannins which can cause staining. However, whilst this can help, the most effective way to lighten your teeth is to book an appointment with your dentist for a professional whitening treatment. They will typically do this usin a solution of hydrogen peroxide, which they will then apply to the teeth using a custom-made tray. In some instances, where a person's tooth discolouration cannot be addressed using standard whitening treatments, veneers may be a better alternative. WebMD explains that these are extremely thin tooth-shaped covers, usually made from porcelain, which can improve the appearance of a tooth's colour, size and shape.
For tips on dental health, contact your local dentist.
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