Beautiful Smile with Good Dental Care

A beautiful smile is probably the first thing a person will notice about you so it makes sense to invest a little bit of time and effort in maintaining good oral care habits. I have created five practical ways to maintain and enhance one of your most valuable assets.

Clean your teeth!

Clean you teeth at least twice a day after meals and visit your dentist or dental hygienist regularly to maintain healthy teeth and prevent tooth decay. Make sure you have the right tools. Do you have a good toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss? If you wear a mouth retainer or brace, keep it scrupulously clean by cleaning it in mouthwash or denture fluid. A pocket-sized mirror and some dental toothpicks are also useful, especially if you're eating out, so you don't get caught out with some green between your teeth!

Get back to basics

Dental specialists recommend cleaning your tongue using a tongue cleaner or your toothbrush as part of your daily oral care routine. This not only helps remove the bacterial coating that can generate bad breath, but it may improve the health of your gums and teeth. You dentist can show you the best way to clean your tongue and brush, and floss your teeth. If you are brushing your teeth too hard, this could lead to problems like receding gums or gum disease.

Watch your diet

Limit your intake of sugary foods and beverages and drink plenty of water. Bottled water is always a better alternative to sugary drinks such as sugary juice, flavored drinks and sport drinks carbonated or uncarbonated. Too much sugar or acid from such drinks may lead to plaque and tartar build up, which can result in painful sensitive teeth, gingivitis and a host of other oral hygiene problems

Enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods. Diary contains vitamin D, which helps strengthen teeth. Breads and cereals are rich in vitamin B, while fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C, both of which contribute to healthy gum tissue. Lean meat, fish and poultry contain magnesium and zinc, both of which are good for maintaining healthy skin and teeth.

Protect yourself!

Protect your face and mouth when playing contact sports, it there is a risk of dental injury wear a professionally fitted mouth-guard when playing and training for sport. When playing outdoor sports, protect yourself from the elements and ensure you use enough of sunscreen and lip balm. UV light and wind can damage your skin.

Nuke those toxins

Try and give up smoking and limit your alcohol intake. Heavy alcohol and/or tobacco consumption is a major risk factor for oral cancers, while sun exposure is an additional risk factor for cancers of the lip. Don't forget that vices like nicotine, caffeine and alcohol can all stain your teeth. If you have to cheat, teeth whitening treatments are available from your dentist and chemists, but many contain chemicals like hydrogen peroxide, which may lead to further dental problems, such as teeth sensitivity.