Bite-Sized Benefits: A Digestible Guide to Healthy-Looking Teeth

We only get one set of forever teeth, so it pays to look after them. And today’s society is filled with ways that you can do just the opposite: sugary drinks, chocolates, snacks, lollies, coffee, cigarettes – the list goes on and on. A great many people also loathe to visit the dentist, for various reasons from cost to anxiety to simply being too busy going about their lives. Yet if you want a winning smile for years to come you need to take certain steps in your life to ensure that your pearly whites remain just that. So if you don’t want to hide your smile behind your hand every time you meet someone new, absorb these bite-sized benefits and read about how you can maintain healthy looking teeth!

Teeth-Whitening Tips

There are many ways you can work towards a brighter, happier smile. A teeth whitening kit is a good way to start. You can save a trip to the dentist by purchasing one of these and doing it yourself in the comfort of your own home. There are also teeth-whitening toothpastes, mouthwashes and other products that you can find on the shelves of your local chemist or supermarket. Some of these are more effective than others so it sometimes pays to get the top of the range, after all – you’re investing in your smile here.

Brush, Brush, Brush

If you want to have clean and white teeth, then you must brush. Dentists recommend brushing at least twice a day. If you can find time to brush a third or fourth time, even better! Use a fluoride-based toothpaste – don’t fall for the conspiracy theories about fluoride, they’re all nonsense. A tip many people don’t know though is that you should wait half an hour after you finish eating before you brush your teeth – as eating food generates acid in your mouth which can actually erode your enamel if you brush while the acid is still there. So wait a while after breakfast and dinner before brushing.

Floss and Mouthwash

Brushing is only the first line of defense when it comes to a white and shiny smile. Use dental floss to get out any food particles that may be stuck between your teeth. Pay extra attention to your molars as these are used to grind and smash food into digestible parts. If you find your gums are sensitive to thin flosses and it hurts or causes bleeding, you can buy a special floss that is perfect for sensitive gums.

The next step is a good mouthwash. Again, pick one that contains fluoride. As mentioned above you can opt for a whitening mouthwash that contains a bleaching agent which helps to make your teeth whiter, brighter and better.

Dentist Visits

Oh no, the dreaded dentist! Yet if you’re really concerned about your grin, you need to have a professional examination and clean every six months, or year at the least. A dentist has one job and that’s to protect and keep your teeth healthy. Some dentists can even perform a professional whitening service on top of a regular check up and clean, for an additional cost of course. If you have private health cover you can add general and specialist dental as an added extra which may mean you pay only a small gap for whitening treatments.

Grin to Win

So there you have it. You can grab teeth-whitening products online or in store, and don’t forget to brush, floss and rinse with mouthwash. A regular check up and clean at the dentist will keep your smile bright, and dentists can also perform professional whitening as well.