Do your pearly whites not have the same glimmer and shine that they used to? After cleaning your mirror, do they still look yellow, crooked, or grey? Well, you’re not alone. Years of use and improper maintenance will lead to a diminished shine in your smile.
We’ve compiled some tips for ways to improve your smile and the overall health of your mouth. And trust us, they’re worth doing. For your appearance and your health. Soon you won’t feel self-conscious in front of the camera or your date!
So read on if you’re looking for ways on how to improve your smile.
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Whitening
Coffee, tea, wine, soda, and cigarettes all lead to brown stains on teeth that dull your smile and make your mouth look gross. If you are looking to whiten your teeth, there are tons of at-home or professional services to try.
At-home treatments typically involve placing a whitening strip across the front of the teeth for an extended period of time. This is repeated for days or weeks, depending on the product, to achieve the desired result.
Often times the DIY approach to teeth whitening leaves much to be desired, so people opt for professional teeth whitening. Dentists use much stronger whitening agents than those used in the at-home packets. The result of such personalized treatment is a whiter smile that will last much longer.
Crowns
Crowns are a great way to repair broken, discolored, or poorly shaped teeth. A crown is a cap that covers the biting surface of the tooth, strengthening it and improving its appearance. Crowns will also help strengthen a weak tooth that is at risk of cracking.
Braces
While typically associated with adolescents, braces can be utilized at any age to transform your smile into one of beauty. While they are an expensive and time-consuming option, braces have a long-lasting impact that will give you confidence when smiling. In other words, it will be worth it.
If you are self-conscious about wearing metal braces as an adult, there are other options like “invisible” braces and removable aligners. These options may not work for everyone depending on the level of misalignment in your teeth.
If your dentist recommends you for this orthodontic surgery, you should do it. The result will be life-changing.
Implants
Dental implants are essentially replacements for missing teeth. They are surgically installed into the bone of your upper or lower jaw. The implant is typically made of a strong material such as titanium and is a sturdy choice for replacing missing teeth.
While some may find their missing tooth “charming,” it doesn’t help the overall appearance of your smile. Once your implant is installed and your smile restored, your teeth will look and perform better.
Try Bonding or Veneers
Both bonding and veneers are like a facelift for your teeth. Veneers are a shell-like material that is cut to fit over the face of your tooth. Some of your enamel is removed for the veneer to fit properly. Once installed it will look like your natural teeth.
Bonding is a different process, where your tooth enamel is fused together with bonding material like porcelain and resins in order to create a natural look.
Talk to your dentist to see if either of these options will work for you.
Exercise Your Smile
Your smile is formed by muscles in your face and around your mouth, so why not exercise them! One great exercise to strengthen your face muscles is the “whistle pose.”
Start by pursing your lips as you would when you whistle, but close them all the way so that your lips are touching. With your lips tightly pressed together, continue to push them outwards until you feel a strain in the surrounding muscles. Hold this pose for 10 seconds and repeat 10 times.
After a few weeks of this exercise, you will begin to notice a wider smile!
Brush and Floss Daily
Having a regular routine of brushing twice a day and flossing once a day is the easiest way to maintain a healthy mouth. Invest in a high-quality electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes are clinically proven to remove more plaque and gingivitis than a good old-fashioned manual toothbrush.
Create a good flossing habit of flossing at least once a day. Floss is able to reach the spaces between teeth where toothbrushes cannot reach. Floss removes plaque from in between teeth and the gumlines. Regular flossing helps prevent gingivitis and tooth decay.
If you bleed while flossing, this is a sign of gingivitis build-up or gum disease. After a few weeks of regular flossing, the bleeding that comes with mild gingivitis will stop.
See Your Hygienist Twice a Year
Regularly visiting your dental hygienist every six months is the best way to maintain a healthy mouth and improve your smile. Your hygenist removes stains and tartar buildup on your teeth, as well as screens for signs of health problems.
Irregular cleanings could lead to the development of periodontal disease. This condition causes swollen, receding, and bleeding gums. None of those are ingredients for a beautiful smile.
It can also lead to other health conditions like heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and sleep apnea.
Many health conditions manifest in your mouth, so going for regular cleanings will allow your hygenist to alert you of issues that warrant a check-in with your doctor.
How to Improve Your Smile
Depending on the current condition of your pearly whites, you may need to put forth more effort to improve your smile.
We’ve learned how to improve your smile with orthodontia, regular brushing and cleanings, exercise, tooth whitening, and by installing crowns, implants, or veneers. Once you take action to improve your smile, you’ll be beaming with confidence! And that’s where the real beauty comes in.
So if you’re looking for more ways to boost your body, check out the health and fitness section of our blog.