It’s almost mid July and summer is in full swing, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t enough time left to get your smile in shape over the next couple months. Along with your summer body and your summer wardrobe, your summer smile is an important part of your look to show off at this most social time of year.
We teamed up with this Hamilton dentist to discuss the best things you can do to amp up the wattage of your summer smile. From healthy habits to home care and in-office treatments you should consider, we’ve broken this knowledge into sections so it’s easier to understand and empower yourself to take care of your teeth better. Let’s get into it!
Oral Health Comes First
When it comes to having a radiant smile, taking care of your oral health should be your top priority. This means doing the things that are good for your body and overall health while adding power to your smile.
Drink plenty of water
When you’re hydrated, your salivary glands produce lots of saliva which helps rinse your mouth and washes away bacteria that can cause plaque and gum disease. It also helps keep your teeth whiter and breath fresher while just generally being one of the best things you can do for your whole body.
Eat healthy
This could be a lengthy topic (especially in terms of overall health) so we’ve condensed it into the best types of foods you should eat specifically for your oral health.
At the top of the list of healthy foods to eat are fruits like apples, pears or any fibrous fruit. Not only are they full of dietary fibre, which is great for your all important gut health, they are also juicy but firm, so they hydrate your body while sort of brushing your teeth as you chew.
Hard and crunchy vegetables like carrots, celery, fennel etc. are just as important. They also act to clean your teeth as you chew and contain so many healthy vitamins and minerals that help strengthen your teeth.
Avoid sugary treats, snacks and beverages
There are not many things you can put in your body that are as harmful to your teeth as sugar. Plaque and cavity causing bacteria feed on the stuff, so the more you put in your mouth the higher your chances of having dental issues. Sugar is also really bad for your overall health, so the less you consume, the better. Choose healthy snacks like fruits or berries that contain natural sugar instead, and if you do eat something sugary, remember to rinse your mouth out with water right away.
On the topic of sugar, soft drinks are a sort of double-whammy for your teeth because they contain copious amounts of sugar and are carbonated. Bacteria will have a field day and the acidic component is bad for your tooth enamel. It’s best to stay away – drink something else!
The Basics of Oral Care
Most of the onus of a healthy smile falls squarely on your shoulders and your at home hygiene routine. Luckily, it’s not rocket science, and most of us are already pros at rinsing, brushing, and flossing our teeth on a daily basis.
Some quick tips for home care include:
- Use a soft bristled toothbrush
- Make sure your technique is good, so you aren’t harming your gums or tooth enamel while you brush
- Floss every night
- Rinse your mouth after meals or drinking acidic, staining, or sugary beverages
Whitening at Home
Another popular smile enhancement that you can do at home is teeth whitening. There are several options to do this, such as visiting the pharmacy for an over the counter whitening kit, using a charcoal toothpaste or even oil pulling regularly. Our dental experts recommend staying away from the OTC whitening options and booking an appointment with your dentist for whitening instead. IT might cost a but more, but the results will be superior, and you wont risk irritating your gums or damaging tooth enamel. Brushing with charcoal or oil pulling are totally safe and can be used to great effect as secondary or maintenance type whitening methods.
Dental Checkups and Professional Cleanings
Plaque build-up is inevitable, no matter how rigorous your at home oral hygiene routine is. That’s why it’s vital that you visit your dentist at least twice a year to have your teeth professionally deep cleaned. Your dentist will also check for other issues so you can nip them in the bud before they become actual problems. It’s easy and not all that expensive to get a dental hygienist cleaning and it will pay for itself in the long run.
Ask for Cosmetic Dental Treatments
The most effective of smile enhancing treatments are available through your dentist. Cosmetic dentistry covers everything from simple teeth whitening to dental veneers and even dental implants. While dental implants are typically reserved for more serious tooth loss or tooth damage cases, other treatments like veneers or crowns are less invasive and can be done fairly easily.
Want a brighter smile for summer – visit your dentist for a teeth whitening procedure. Cost effective, fast, safe and you’re sure to notice a huge difference in how radiant your smile looks.
Take things a step further with dental veneers. Usually made from porcelain or a composite resin, these paper thing shells are fit on top your existing teeth to reshape and recolour your smile for a brand new you. While veneers are a more expensive option, the results are incredible, and you can get it done in a couple appointments.
Book a consultation with your cosmetic dentist to go over your options and see what they recommend to achieve the smile goals you have in mind this summer.