Do you feel reluctant to smile because you’re embarrassed about your teeth? Did you know that avoiding smiling interferes with social interactions and your general health?
When you smile, your body releases dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. These hormones tell your body that you are happy. The release of these hormones actually makes you feel physically happier.
Would you feel more like smiling if your teeth were whiter? Continue reading to find tips about how to improve your smile.
How to Improve Your Smile
While everyone would like a magic way to whiten teeth instantly, the only method today is applying veneers. Yet, there are ways to improve the whiteness of your natural teeth by practicing good oral hygiene.
It’s important to check out recommended home whitening techniques. Some can damage your teeth. Here are some tips for how to have a better smile.
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda provides an abrasive substance to help remove debris and stains from teeth. Some individuals worry that it’s too abrasive.
The Relative Dentin Abrasivity ranks the abrasiveness of products from zero (not abrasive) to above 200 (very abrasive). Baking soda has a rating of 7. Although this is a low rating, you still need to brush gently to avoid damaging the tooth enamel.
2. Whitening Strips
Commercial whitening strips were first approved by the American Dental Association in 2017. This provides a tooth-bleaching method that you apply at home. Many require daily use for several weeks to achieve the best results.
3. Choose the Right Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste is often recommended by dentists to help remove surface stains. Some of these products contain baking soda. It’s important to use proper technique when brushing with the whitening pastes.
4. Proper Toothbrushing
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day helps remove food and bacteria that break down tooth enamel and causes discoloration. It’s important that you brush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and teeth for 2 minutes.
It’s best to brush 30 minutes after you eat. If you don’t eat in the morning, brush when you get up to remove the bacteria collected overnight. Flossing removes food particles caught between the teeth and by the gums.
5. Drink from a Straw
Did you know that using a drinking straw can help keep your teeth whiter? By placing the straw farther in your mouth and swallowing immediately, you limit tooth exposure.
Most drinks such as coffee, tea, soda, and juices contain sugar that attracts bacteria. The bacteria feed on the sugar and converts to an acid that damages and stains the tooth enamel.
Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco
Two of the biggest culprits that discolor teeth are alcohol and tobacco. The tannins in alcohol and the nicotine in tobacco cause tooth stains. These can be hard habits to break, but play a big role in tooth whitening.
See Your Dentist Twice a Year
Getting a dental cleaning and checkup every six months improves oral health. The hygienist provides a higher level of cleaning than you can do at home. They also screen for problems so that you can receive early treatment.
Healthy teeth are naturally whiter.
Are You Looking for a Dentist?
Now you know 5 tips about how to improve your smile. Westchase Smiles Institute wants to help you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.
We understand that not everyone has access to dental insurance. Our office has committed to help everyone in the Tampa area receive dental care. Our staff is also fluent in both English and Spanish.
Contact us today to ask questions and make an appointment.
