Everybody wants perfect teeth! Your teeth aren’t just important for chewing and eating; they can also make or break your smile. Teeth that are stained, chipped, or even crooked can ruin your smile and quickly leave you feeling self-conscious. Having to smile for photographs with your mouth shut, or worry about what people will think when you flash them a smile can even lead to self-esteem issues over time. In addition, problems with your teeth can lead to health issues and pain; teeth that are decayed can make it painful to eat, whilst crooked teeth that are too tightly aligned can make it difficult to brush thoroughly and increase your risk of suffering from cavities.
Luckily, the good news is that thanks to modern dentistry and advancements in dental care, it’s easier than ever to achieve the perfect set of teeth. All you need is the right dental hygiene routine and some help from your dentist. We’ve put together some top tips to help you get the perfect teeth that you’ve always dreamed of.
Tip #1. Visit Your Dentist Regularly:
Before you can even begin to think about fixing any issues that you have with your teeth, it’s important to ensure that they are regularly checked by your dentist. Even if you’re not suffering from any pain or cannot see anything visibly wrong with your teeth that could turn into a serious issue, remember that your dentist is trained to spot the early signs of dental problems that may seem like nothing to an untrained eye. Even if there is nothing wrong with your teeth in terms of their health, a six-monthly check-up by your dentist never hurts. During your visit, you can also get valuable advice from your dentist about potential cosmetic treatments that you may benefit from, along with tips and advice on how you can improve your daily dental hygiene.
Tip #2. Upgrade Your Toothbrush:
One of the most common complaints when it comes to the appearance of one’s teeth is stains and discoloration. Discoloration of the teeth can be caused by several different things, including smoking, drinking too much coffee, drinking red wine, dark sodas, or eating dark-colored, stain-inducing foods such as gravies. Although surface stains on the teeth are not always as bad as they may look, and can be scrubbed off by your dentist during a scale and polish treatment, there are several things that you can do at home to avoid them.
Along with, of course, avoiding the foods and drinks that are more likely to cause staining, you can also upgrade your toothbrush. Today, you can find several options when it comes to electric toothbrushes, which are designed to give your mouth the best clean by reaching all the areas that you may find difficult to get to with a manual brush alone. Opting for an electric toothbrush that also includes a stain scrubber, which is usually a small bit of soft plastic in between the bristles, will help to keep stains at bay and keep your teeth as white as possible each time you brush.
Tip #3. Consider Getting Braces:
If your teeth are white and in otherwise good condition other than the fact that they are misaligned, then braces could be the ideal option for you when it comes to getting perfect teeth. Along with sometimes looking unsightly, it’s not just the appearance of your teeth that crookedness can affect. If your teeth are crooked as they are too tightly aligned and overlapping one another, then you may also find that you have issues when cleaning or flossing, since it will be more difficult to get the brush or floss between your teeth, which can lead to the build-up of bacteria and increase your risk of cavities and tooth decay.
Speak to a reputable cosmetic dentist about your options when it comes to getting braces to help align and straighten your teeth. Today, there are many different options available when it comes to braces – there’s no need to settle for unsightly ‘train track’ braces, which may not always be a viable option for anybody who works in a professional job and wants to always look their best, for example. Modern brace options include invisible retainers that can be removed when needed, or even braces that are fitted to the back, rather than the front of the teeth so that they are hidden away out of sight.
Tip #4. Avoid Acidic Foods and Drinks:
Eating sugary foods and consuming beverages that are full of sugar and acid can corrode your tooth enamel, leading to sensitivity of the teeth and exposing the yellow-colored dentin underneath, which can affect the appearance of your teeth and cause them to look stained and discolored. Soda and fruit juice are prime examples of acidic beverages that can cause problems with your teeth. Whilst drinking through a straw can help somewhat, it’s always best to try and avoid these kinds of beverages when you can and instead stick to plain water, which can actually help to clean your teeth as well, leading to a nicer smile and better dental health. If you do drink acidic beverages or eat sugary foods, it’s a good idea to drink some water afterward to rinse out your mouth and help to restore the pH balance, to minimize the risk of damage.
Tip #5. Time Your Brushing Right:
Contrary to popular belief, brushing your teeth straight after eating or drinking isn’t always a good idea. This is especially true if you have eaten something that has a high sugar content, or drank an acidic beverage such as those mentioned above. High acid content in food or drink will weaken the tooth enamel, meaning that when you brush your teeth, the enamel is more likely to be damaged and cause sensitivity and erosion. According to the experts, if you have eaten or drank anything acidic, the best period of time to wait before brushing is around thirty minutes. Don’t forget that this also includes some healthy foods, especially fruit such as oranges, lemons or grapefruits, since these contain citric acid that can also be damaging to the teeth. If you have just eaten and want to freshen your breath, then chewing minty sugar-free gum whilst waiting until it is safe to brush is a good idea.
Tip #6. Don’t Forget to Floss:
Whilst brushing your teeth at least twice per day is important, it’s also just as crucial to remember to floss. Keeping your dental floss in your bathroom so that you can reach for it after brushing is a great idea; make sure that it is in your line of vision so that you will remember it as soon as you reach for your toothbrush. Even if you are using an electric toothbrush which is great for reaching between the teeth and all the hard-to-get-to areas in your mouth, bacteria and plaque build-up that gets deep between the teeth and along the gum line can often only be reached by flossing. If you are not sure about how to correctly floss your teeth to get the best results, then don’t worry – there are several great online tutorials that will teach you how to floss well from the comfort of your home. Don’t forget that you can always ask your dentist to show you the best techniques; it’s their job to make sure that you are taking good care of your teeth!
Tip #7. Opt for a Tooth Whitening Treatment:
If your teeth are severely stained, then you may not always get the results that you want by simply using a whitening toothpaste, or having them scaled and polished by your dental hygienist. However, you have several options to choose from when it comes to achieving bright, pearly whites. Many dentists today will offer intense whitening treatments that work well on even the most stained and discolored of teeth.
If your enamel is damaged and the dentin is exposed, then you can also speak to your dentist about potential treatment options that are available to restore your teeth back to perfect whiteness. However, be careful – always go to a registered dentist when getting your teeth whitened. Although this may cost more than most DIY treatments or treatments offered by some beauty therapists, you can be sure that they will not cause any further damage to your teeth.
Tip #8. Fill the Gaps:
When it comes to bad teeth appearances, gaps between the teeth can be unsightly. There are several ways in which you can fix gaps between your teeth and achieve the perfect smile. Braces are one option; these can help to bring the teeth together whilst fixing any crookedness that you may also be affected by. Or, you can opt for cosmetic dental bonding, where a tooth-colored composite resin is applied between the teeth to make them appear wider and close any gaps. This can also be used for teeth that have been chipped or fractured, to allow them to match the rest of your teeth.
Did these tips help? We’d love to hear all about your new perfect set of teeth in the comments.
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