Teeth do more than help you chew.
They create your smile.
A smile is more than just a way to express emotion. It’s often the first thing people notice. Studies show that a first impression happens in less than 10 seconds.
Women juggle so much in our society and success in life is enhanced by a strong, healthy smile. Healthy smiles create confidence, allowing us to connect with others and self-advocate. That kind of confidence allows us to be the best versions of ourselves.
Here are tips for a strong, beautiful, healthy smile for yourself and your family:
The Basics
Tooth decay not only leads to broken teeth, pain, and infection but can permanently affect your smile’s aesthetics. Red, puffy, bleeding gums are bad for overall health and a signal of self-neglect. Periodontal disease can lead to bad breath and tooth loss, linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Brushing and flossing are critical for your daily routine. Brush twice a day, floss once. Before bed for both is most important - with proper technique. Your hygienist can give you instructions to ensure you’re doing it correctly – sure, it’s simple, but are you positive you're doing it right? Ask. It’s important to see them every six months to evaluate your progress and tweak if necessary.
Also, don’t forget to brush your tongue – bacteria sits there and can cause bad breath. As for flossing, there are many types and tools available, customized for what works for you.
Limit “sugar mouth” time
Sugar in food and drinks is what the bacteria in your mouth needs to create acids. Those acids break down your teeth, causing cavities. But it’s not realistic for most people to completely eliminate sugar from their diet. I never could!
Limit the time sugar sits in your mouth – about five minutes, max. Clear it by rinsing with water if you can’t brush. Wait 20 minutes for the pH in your mouth to return to neutral before reintroducing any sugars to minimize your cavity risk.
Tension
Although most people associate these as sleeping issues, clenching and grinding can happen throughout the day. They're destructive and shorten teeth, causing wear and fracture lines that can stain over time. They're also linked to dangerous sleep apnea. If a dentist suspects it, you should see your physician right away for testing. Most people are unaware they do this, going undiagnosed for far too long. Once the destruction is apparent, it’s too late. Using a night guard can protect your teeth from clenching and grinding wear.
Once you’ve established good habits and aren’t happy with your smile’s esthetics – like color, shape, size, spacing, or crowding - each can be addressed by your dentist. Cosmetic dentistry can make a healthy mouth beautiful, from whitening to straightening to veneers.
There are a lot of approaches to cosmetic dentistry, as simple or comprehensive as you desire. Cosmetics is all about what makes you feel good, while creating and maintaining healthy teeth and gums. It should make you confident in your smile - and what makes you feel and look good is all that matters!
As a woman, wife, mother - and a dentist - my healthy smile helps me to feel good, helping me succeed in my day-to-day life. It is not the only thing of course, but it is a building block that drives me and helps shape who I am.