First impressions matter, and a great smile is an integral part of those first impressions.
Your smile also impacts other areas of life and well-being. Someone self-conscious about the state of their teeth may avoid smiling to keep them hidden, leading others to make false assumptions of personality.
Add this blow to mental health with the broader health implications of poor oral hygiene, and it’s easy to see why improving your smile is beneficial.
Daily Brushing
The simplest way to care for your teeth and maintain a beautiful smile is with twice daily brushing. The benefits of regular brushing are threefold.
The brush action removes debris and bacteria from the teeth and gums so that cavities and infections are minimized.
Simultaneously, brushing stimulates the blood flow to the gums, which is vital for their health. Thirdly, the use of fluoride toothpaste strengthens teeth reducing the risk of damage that can occur.
Visit Your Dentist
Even the most attentive toothbrusher can miss something or have bad luck, which is why regular dental checks are crucial. Routine dentist appointments will catch issues before they become significant.
If your natural smile isn’t as perfect as you’d like or is in danger of causing problems later in life, an orthodontist in Frisco, TX, can work with you to make improvements.
Braces can train teeth into place, or cosmetic procedures can make problem teeth and gums whole.
Say Cheese
Learning how to smile may sound odd, as smiling is a natural reflex, but it’s also an essential skill that instills confidence.
Practicing how to give a natural gentle smile lets you put others at ease when first meeting while boosting your confidence.
Watch yourself in the mirror to see how your face moves and changes as the muscles move to understand what looks good.
With lips slightly apart, lightly press your tongue to the back of the top teeth as this relaxes the cheek muscles even when held for several seconds.
Mind Your Drinks
Enjoying the occasional red wine is a relaxing experience for many people, but it does come with a downside, stained teeth.
The tannins in drinks like red wine, tea, and coffee seep into the tooth enamel and, over time, lead to permanent staining.
Brushing your teeth after drinking removes the worst of the immediate damage. However, as it’s usually not practical to brush after every such drink, limiting the amount of consumption is best.
Moisturize
Daily moisturizing helps keep facial skin healthy in many ways, from stopping flaky patches to calming acne.
It’s also fantastic for maintaining your smile by slowing the effects of aging and sun damage to the skin around the mouth.
While there’s a lot to be praised for aging gracefully and embracing laugh lines, some creases around the mouth can make people self-conscious.
Smoking, long-term stress, and frequent drinking with a straw can give the mouth a puckered look that moisturizing can reduce.
There are several ways to improve your smile, from changing your daily routine to cosmetic procedures restoring damaged teeth.
With a brighter smile, whatever option you choose to undertake will come with greater confidence in sharing it with the world.
Jean Smith is a fitness enthusiast and blogger who focuses on fitness and a healthy lifestyle. She is passionate about assisting people in living healthier lifestyles and is constantly on the lookout for new and creative methods to stay fit and healthy. Her articles are excellent resources for anyone interested in improving their health and fitness.