Whether we're talking about our personal or business lives, we all know how important the first impression is. And your smile is one of the first things that people will notice about you.
Your smile is important - so make sure you have the right experts on your side! At Cigno Family Dental, we're committed to providing a range of dental services that focus on building healthy mouths. If you are looking for a dentist in the Greenfield, WI area, call us today to schedule your appointment.
And, if you want to learn how to take better care of your oral health to finally have that million-dollar smile you've always dreamed about, here are some tips you can easily add to your daily routine to make your smile prettier and healthier.
1. Stick to a routine - brush & floss
Let's start with the obvious - brushing your teeth at least twice a day is a must. Having a regular dental routine will significantly contribute to the health of your smile. It's one of the things that should never be skipped (no matter how tired or late you are). Doing it twice a day, in the morning and evening, is a minimum that should be done every day, without exception.
When talking about proper oral care, it's important to mention the duration of brushing. If you want to remove the plaque from your teeth, you should be brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day. If you're not quite sure if you're brushing for long enough, set your timer so you could be sure you brush for two minutes each time.
Although almost everyone includes brushing into their daily oral routine, a lot of people tend to skip flossing. When you brush your teeth, you only clean the front and back surfaces, but you can't reach the side surfaces properly. That's why flossing your teeth is as important as brushing them. It helps prevent tooth decay and gingivitis.
And how often should it be done? Every day, once a day.
2. Don't forget your tongue
Once you're finished with your two-minute brushing, don't forget to run over your tongue as well. It will help remove foul-smelling bacterial waste and will make your breath smell fresh. Cleaning your tongue will not only improve your breath but it can prevent potential problems of the oral cavity such as periodontal disease. Make sure to clean the entire surface of your tongue by placing your toothbrush at the back of the tongue and then brush it lightly forward and backward.
3. Routine trips to the dentist twice a year
If you're usually waiting until you're in pain to visit your dentist, it's time to change that habit. When something starts to hurt, it usually means that something was brewing for quite some time. The moment you start feeling pain is usually not the moment when your health problem started. You can look at it as the last alarm that your body sends when something's wrong. No one likes to be in pain, so the best thing you can do for yourself is to prevent it. Having two routine dental checkups per year is vital and can greatly help maintain a healthy smile. There is so much preventative dental care that your dentist can and will offer before you start having real problems with your teeth. Talk to your dentist about your daily oral routine and let him know if you start noticing some changes. You may be surprised how many dental issues are easily fixable if they're spotted on time. After all, it's always better to prevent than cure. It will save you a lot of time, pain, and money.
4. Be mindful about your food choices
Eating the right foods will not only give you the body you always wanted to have, but it will also make your smile prettier. Stick to your veggies and grains, and avoid food that is high in sugar. There are also some vegetables like cucumber and celery that can even help to freshen your breath. Skip the sugary snacks and eat something healthy instead. Your smile (and your body) will be thankful.
5. Drink plenty of water
Drinking water instead of sugary drinks will also help you boost your confidence with your new, healthier smile. Since your body needs water to function properly, don't forget to drink it often thorough the day. With a dry mouth, particles are more likely to stick to your teeth, so you want to make sure to stay hydrated. It will not only do wonders for your smile but your entire body and overall health as well. Sounds like a pretty good deal!
6. Rinse with mouthwash
Mouthwash doesn't just make your breath smell fresh, but it also helps kill bacteria in your mouth that can cause gum disease. Rince at least once a day for 30 seconds and make it a part of your daily routine. However, you should be careful with the type of mouthwash product you're using. Many products on the market are too aggressive and can cause more damage than good. Make sure to talk with your dentist about the right products you can use and incorporate into your oral hygiene routine.
7. Limit your coffee, red wine, and tea
We know this is a difficult one! Most of us simply can't imagine going through the day without having a cup of coffee or taking the stress off at the end of the day with a glass of our favorite red wine. Even though they are sometimes the best type of therapy and will put a smile on your face right away, unfortunately, they won't keep your teeth white and healthy. These drinks can build up a superficial stain which can be hard to get rid of.
If you think that your favorite dark drinks are non-negotiable, try to use a straw, so the liquid doesn't directly get in contact with your teeth. It may be a bit weird to start drinking from your wine glass with a straw, but then again, who says it can't be your new thing?
8. Avoid biting into hard things
Chewing on hard items such as pens, ice or toothpicks is something we all do, but this is also one of the things that a Hollywood smile doesn't approve of. Such hard items can wear your teeth down if you chew on them continuously, so you should try to quit or at least limit this habit. Dentists also recommend cutting off hard foods instead of biting directly into them.
9. Quit smoking
If you've decided to take more care of your dental health and you're a smoker, you should start thinking about quitting it. The nicotine and tar tobacco smoke are causing stained and yellow teeth that are hard to get rid of. Besides these negative side effects on the looks of your teeth, smoking can also cause more serious dental issues like gum disease and tooth decay. Smoking is a habit that it's not easy to quit, but once you notice all the positive changes in your health, you'll never go back.
10. Never share your toothbrush
Many people occasionally use the toothbrush of their partners or even close friends from time to time. When it comes to your oral hygiene, sharing is definitely not caring. The mouth is home to hundreds of different species of bacteria, and in some cases even viruses, that can be transferred from one person to another when washing your teeth with the same toothbrush.
You may ask yourself what's the difference between sharing a toothbrush and kissing? When you kiss someone, you mostly only share saliva. On the other hand, when you use someone else's toothbrush, your scrub and brush the plaque and bacteria off of someone's teeth which is not recommendable. Enjoy kissing, but make sure to be selfish when it comes to your toothbrush and don't share it with anyone.
11. Change your toothbrush regularly
Your toothbrush should be changed at least every three to four months. Even if you're taking proper care of your oral health and are strictly following your dental routine, using an old, worn-out toothbrush, could negatively affect your oral health and leave your mouth open to bacteria and infection. Changing your toothbrush regularly is easy to do and will significantly improve your dental health.
There are some circumstances where you should throw away your old toothbrush before the 3-4 month recommendation. For example, if you were sick for a period of time or someone else used your brush, the best thing you can do is to change it right away.
Also, if you notice that the bristles have lost their stiffness before, make sure to replace your toothbrush with a new one.
12. Find a dentist you can trust
Many people have a fear of dentists since early childhood and are avoiding them whenever they can. A positive and strong patient-dentist relationship is extremely important when it comes to dental health. If you're still in the category of people who are avoiding visiting the dentist because of some bad or painful past experiences, it's important to start searching for the right dentist, for someone you can trust.
The first and easiest thing you can do is to ask close friends, co-workers, or family members about their dentist. It will help you to get some insights that will make the choice much easier. Once you find someone you can trust and talk about the perfect smile, without feeling uncomfortable or scared, you will finally get the chance to get and maintain the healthy and beautiful smile you deserve.
And, if you are looking for a dental office in Greenfield, WI you can trust, choose Cigno Family Dental. Our skilled dental team is here to give you the healthy smile you deserve. Call today to schedule your family's dental appointments!