A smile can help to gain people’s trust, put others at ease and increase attractiveness. Poor dental health can make many of us embarrassed to smile. As such, it is sometimes imperative to seek treatment and opt for cosmetic dentistry charlotte to enhance your smile. Here are just a few ways in which you can improve your smile so that you feel able to beam with confidence.
Quit smoking
Smoking is one of the unhealthiest habits you can take up. It can cause damage to almost every part of the body – including our teeth. It’s a leading cause of gum disease and it can cause discolouration of the teeth. If you want to improve your smile, giving up smoking could be the first step. There are lots of ways to quit smoking – experiment with different ways to give up to find the one that works for you.
Drink less soft drinks
When we consume sugar, it reacts with bacteria in the mouth to cause acid, which leads to tooth decay. Soft drinks are the worst offender as they are packed with sugar, which often end up coating every tooth. Cutting down on soft drinks could help to keep your teeth cleaner and could reduce damage. Sugar-free options could be healthier, although they still tend to contain colourants that can stain teeth. Drinking through a straw can also be healthier as it prevents you from swilling the liquid around your mouth.
Drink more water
Drinking water can help to clean your teeth. It can help to rinse away plaque. Staying hydrated can also stop your mouth getting dry by promoting the production of saliva (when your mouth is dry bacteria can thrive). Cut down on the soft drinks and start drinking more water instead.
Brush up on your dental regime
A good dental regime can help to keep your teeth clean. This involves brushing twice per day – ideally morning and night – for two minutes each time. While brushing, try to point your brush towards the root of the teeth and use small circular motions. Some people make the mistake of brushing too hard, which can wear away enamel. An electric toothbrush can often be a lot more effective than a manual toothbrush. It’s also worth flossing on top of brushing in order to remove plaque from between teeth.
Try whitening toothpastes
There are many alternative toothpastes on the market that may help to whiten your teeth. A popular choice at the moment is activated charcoal, which some people find can be effective. There are also toothpastes containing hydrogen peroxide, which can help to whiten teeth. Certain whitening toothpastes should be used with care as they can be more abrasive than regular toothpastes. For instance, baking soda toothpastes could cause enamel to wear away if used daily.
Try oil pulling
Oil pulling is a form of tooth whitening that involves swilling cooking oil around the mouth – usually coconut oil or sesame oil. The oil can help to loosen up plaque and pull it off. For maximum effectiveness, you should do this for about five minutes per day. Chewing gum can have a similar effect.
Try whitening strips
Whitening strips are strips containing peroxide that are applied directly to the surface of each tooth. After several days they can start to make teeth appear whiter. They are only a temporary solution – using whitening toothpaste could help to prolong their impact however.
Look into cosmetic treatment
Cosmetic treatment can be a drastic but effective way of improving your smile. If you’re looking for whiter teeth, there are options such as veneers and laser whitening to consider. The likes of implants can meanwhile replace missing teeth, while braces can help to correct misaligned teeth. Look around for affordable dentistry and see what treatments are available. It’s worth reading reviews of dental surgeries to get a good idea of their reputation – if you’re getting cosmetic treatment done, you want it to be done to the highest standard.
Wear the right lipstick
You can make teeth appear whiter by using the right lipstick hues. Lipstick colours with blue undertones such as cherry reds can help to bring out the white in your teeth. Lipsticks with orange undertones are not recommended for people that want whiter teeth as these lipsticks can bring out the yellow in your teeth. Glosses may also make your teeth appear less shiny.
Practice your smile
You may be able to improve self-confidence in your smile simply by practicing the way in which you smile. A closed lip smile could prevent people from seeing your teeth if you are embarrassed by them. You may also find that you look better from a certain angle – practicing your smile in a mirror could help you to find this angle so that you can take better photos.