Do you want to have a beautiful and bright smile that you’ll love to show off?
We all have our own perceptions of what makes a smile beautiful. What matters is what you think. What are your smile goals?
We want to teach you how to have a nice smile so you can start to reach those goals. Regardless of what you want your smile to look like, here are a few of our favorite tips for how to improve your smile so you can show it off!
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Go to the Dentist Twice Per Year
The first part of getting a happy and healthy smile is making sure that you’re getting all of your necessary preventative care in line. This means that you need to keep up with routine checkups and cleaning sessions.
42% of Americans don’t see a dentist as often as they would like to. This is likely due to time constraints, dental anxiety, and an overall lack of funds. Many people don’t have dental insurance.
While these reasons are all valid, it’s important to keep in mind that by going to these routine appointments, you’ll be spending less money than you would if you had a dental problem.
If you end up needing cavities filled, or worse, a root canal, you’ll be spending hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on restorative care.
When you see a dentist often, you’ll know that your teeth are clean and intact, and you’ll get advice on how to keep them that way!
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Avoid “Bad” Foods
So now that your teeth are clean, how do you take care of them after your dental visits?
We’ll go more into proper dental hygiene at home in the next section, but first, let’s talk about your diet. How often do you eat foods that can damage or discolor your teeth?
Everyone knows that too much sugar will damage your teeth. When you have a lot of sugar and you aren’t immediately brushing and flossing afterward, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Bacteria feed on the sugar and thrive in your mouth.
Aside from sugar, there are plenty of things that can discolor your teeth with or without that added sweetness.
Do you drink red wine? What about black coffee? There are even fruits that can stain your teeth when eaten in abundance. Make sure to rinse out your mouth after eating or drinking any of these things so you don’t have to worry about unsightly stains.
We’ll mention a bonus fact for you. While these aren’t foods, cigarettes and chewing tobacco will also stain and ruin your teeth. This is a great reason to quit.
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Don’t Forget to Keep Teeth Clean
What is your home dental hygiene routine like? While we all know that we should brush two to three times per day and floss every night, most people don’t do that. Do you?
Why is that important?
While we sleep and as we go through our day, bacteria accumulate in our mouths. We start to build up plaque on and between our teeth. This is a sticky substance that coats the teeth and works its way into the gums.
When we don’t address the plaque, it turns into tartar. This is a harder material, similar to dried clay. It’s very difficult to remove and you’ll need to see a dentist or hygienist remove it correctly.
When you let your dental hygiene get out of hand, you’re risking cavities and gum disease, not to mention your perfect smile.
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Consider Orthodontic Work
Are your teeth straight? Do you want them to be?
Not everyone cares about straight teeth, but they can make a big difference to your smile. Straight teeth can also protect you from problems that result from a misaligned bite or crowding.
Orthodontic work is expensive, but it’s one of those things that almost everyone is happy that they spent money on. Your entire face will change, and you may have better self-esteem as a result.
If you’ve already had braces, it’s important to wear your retainer (even as an adult). Even if your teeth are straight now, it doesn’t take long for them to fall out of place again.
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Keep Your Smile Shiny and White
Even those of us with good eating practices and dental hygiene may have teeth that aren’t as white as we’d like. This is normal. Off-white teeth aren’t something to be alarmed about.
That said, it’s reasonable to want whiter and brighter teeth. Have you considered teeth-whitening treatments?
There are plenty of safe ways to whiten your teeth either at home or with the guidance of a dental professional. While this isn’t crucial to your dental health, it is great for improving your pearly whites.
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Consider Veneers
Some people don’t love their teeth no matter what they do. Maybe your teeth are too small for your mouth, or you don’t like the way that they’re shaped. Maybe they’re not as white as you’d like and no matter what you do, they won’t change.
You’re not alone. Luckily for you, though, you have options.
Dental veneers have grown more and more popular over the past few years due to social media influencers who get this procedure. Veneers go over your natural teeth to create a whole new smile. They take the guesswork out of shiny and white teeth.
Talk to a cosmetic dentist about the benefits of veneers and whether or not they’re suitable for your lifestyle and needs.
That’s How to Have a Nice Smile
Are you confident with your smile, or does it need a bit of work? Regardless of what you want to fix, there are plenty of things that you can do to contribute to your smile.
Talk to a dentist or orthodontist about how to have a nice smile and they’ll help you figure out a treatment plan. Get ready to show off your pearly whites!
