“Smile is the curve that sets everything right.” A beautiful smile can help solve even the biggest of problems in no time, and a healthy smile helps keep not just your mouth but also your general body health in good condition. A healthy smile includes strong teeth and healthy gums with no sign or symptom of infection or inflammation. Regular following of some of the healthy habits aids in maintaining a good, healthy smile.
- Brushing the teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste regularly twice daily is one of the essential oral hygiene routines that should be followed by one and all, irrespective of the age they belong to. A fluoridated toothpaste will help form a protective barrier on the tooth’s toothpastesurface that aid in preventing the tooth any decay. In case you suffer from tooth sensitivity, many desensitizing tubes of with potassium nitrate as a main ingredient are available in the market that assists in blocking the nerve endings and helps the patients get relief from tooth sensitivity.
- Flossing the teeth will help remove any food lodgement in the inaccessible areas, including interdental (surface in between the two teeth) areas that may otherwise lead to the destruction of tooth layers from the proximal regions. Also, dental flossing helps stimulate the gums and, thus, reduces inflammation, if any, in that area of the tooth.
- Tobacco use in any form, whether chewing or smoking, leads to staining teeth. This staining may be superficial and easily removed with professional oral hygiene instruments at a dental office or be embedded in the pits and fissures of teeth that become hard to remove. Also, smoking causes gum inflammation along with receding gums and pocket formation alongside the tooth’s surface. Unhealthy and swollen gums will lead to tooth loosening and, ultimately, falling off teeth. Also, tobacco in any form may cause oral malodor and oral cancer in due course of time. To prevent all the symptoms mentioned above, avoid smoking and chewing tobacco and have a fresh and healthy smile.
- Consumption of many beverages like tea, coffee, or any other soft drink leads to teeth staining and sensitivity. Frequent consumption of sugary or acidic beverages leads to tooth decay and gum infection in due course of time. A dental hygienist or an experienced dental professional will help you remove the stains from your teeth and get whiter teeth and a much brighter smile. Also, consuming the drinks using a straw will aid in the reduction of teeth stains and also reduce the risk and incidences of tooth decay.
- Water is a universal beverage that helps keep your mouth and general body healthy. It helps flush out the lodged food particles in the interdental areas or the sights inaccessible to be cleaned with a toothbrush. Tap water with natural fluoride content in adequate amounts is the best source for your mouth and teeth health.
- As is a known fact, the mouth is the mirror of your overall health. Systemic health conditions like blood pressure, diabetes, heart health, gastrointestinal health, obesity, and others cause specific changes in the mouth that affect the health of your teeth and gums. The dissolution of outer tooth layers, along with inflamed gums, will affect your oral health and smile. Hence, regular checks on any systemic health condition and check-ups and treatment, if required, will maintain your general body and oral health. A habit of teeth clenching, night grinding, or bruxism leads to erosion of the outer layer of the tooth, i.e., enamel. A night guard or a professional consultation for the same will help curb the habit and protect the teeth.
- Besides brushing and flossing your teeth, always clean your tongue using a scraper. Plaque and tartar that builds over the tongue surface accelerate not only the chances of bad smell from the mouth but also affect the mouth’s overall health, including teeth and gums. Hence, cleaning the tongue surface regularly will help promote the mouth’s health.
- Rinsing the mouth after every meal is a healthy practice everyone should follow. Also, using mouthwash after tooth brushing is a regime that assists in maintaining the health of the mouth. The mouthwashes help reduce the acidic environment in the mouth, the inflammation of the gums, and the lodged food accumulation in areas that are hard to clean with a toothbrush.
- Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables that are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber is good for your teeth and gum health.
Conclusion
“A genuine smile comes from the heart, but a healthy smile needs good dental care.” With some primary regular oral hygiene practice, you can have a healthy, whiter, and brighter smile.
