Your smile is one thing that’s definitely worth taking the time to protect. Aside from ensuring a healthy and complete set of teeth, there’s something that a smile offers that shouldn’t be taken for granted and that’s confidence. If you’re able to smile freely because you’re worried about how your teeth look, not only does it limit your range of expression, but it can make you feel like you have to hide a part of yourself.
Start by changing your diet
As with many aspects of your health, the root cause of many issues with your teeth can be down to your diet. There are things that can be worse for your mouth, such as sugary foods, acidic foods, as well as coffee and tea, so make the switch to things that can make a healthier mouth, instead.
Discoloration can be treated
Everyone experiences the discoloration of teeth over time, as a result of age. However, some of us are likely to experience it more prematurely and more quickly, often as a result of eating habits, a lack of brushing, or even not having the right toothpaste. If you’re doing what you can to care for your teeth but still noticing that color, not only can the right dentist identify the cause, but they can treat it. Whitening treatments can be highly effective, but you also need to cut the causes of discoloration.
Switch up the gum that you chew
Chewing sugary gum is often noted as a cause of dental problems, and that is true. However, that doesn’t mean that all gum is going to be equally as bad for you. Some sugar-free gums, especially those that contain xylitol, can play a big role in reducing the bacteria in the mouth that lead to decay. Chewing gum, in general, can also help you produce more saliva, which is how the mouth naturally fights this spread of saliva. Just be picky with what gum you choose to chew.
Be mindful of tooth decay
Tooth decay is the biggest cause of dental problems across the board, and if you don’t take the time to stop it, it can cause a lot of pain, and damage, and can affect your smile irreversibly. You cannot undo the damage that is caused by tooth decay. You can, however, treat it. There are restorative treatments such as using crowns and veneers that can help restore the look of your teeth after the decay has been treated, but prevention is always better than the cure.
Don’t forget bad breath
It may not just be the visual side that you’re concerned about, but you might be worried about how your breath smells as well. Halitosis is an embarrassing issue, but it is one that you can address. It often comes from the tongue, so using a tongue scraper can help you clean the bacteria that are often at the cause. You should also make sure that you drink plenty of water, as dehydration can play a role.
Follow the tips above to ensure you’re giving your smile the attention and protection it deserves.