Good oral hygiene is essential to having healthy teeth. Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, so you want to have beautiful, healthy teeth to enhance your grin. Not only do healthy teeth boost your confidence by improving cosmetic appearance, but they also help your mouth function properly to make it easier for you to speak or chew food. If you want to keep your mouth as healthy as possible, practice these four habits.
Straighten Your Teeth
While having crooked or uneven teeth may not affect their ability to function properly, it can have an impact on your mental health because it could make you self-conscious about your smile. There are many ways to straighten your teeth. Many people wear braces as a child or teenager to straighten teeth, but this is also a good option for adults. You may opt to wear a clear aligner tray for less severe cases. A retainer may also be an option. The treatment you need for straight teeth depends on the severity of your problem.
Whiten Discolored Teeth
Your teeth are covered while a protective layer of white enamel that cannot be replaced. Once it is damaged or destroyed, there is no way to completely restore it. One of the first problems to appear with your enamel is discoloration. Your teeth turn yellow for many reasons, and people of every age can have damaged enamel that exposes the yellow dentin beneath. The following factors can increase the chance of damaging your enamel.
- Certain medications
- Age
- Coffee, soda and tea
- Poor oral hygiene habits
- Tobacco use
While you can’t restore enamel once it is gone, you can whiten your teeth to improve cosmetic appearance. If you prefer to treat the issue yourself, there are many whitening toothpastes and products available over the counter. Severe discoloration may require dental assistance or prescription products to help the problem.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Keeping your teeth healthy goes beyond keeping them straight and white. In addition to cosmetic appearance, you also need to be concerned about overall health and functionality. One of the best ways to keep your teeth functioning properly and identify problems early enough for quick intervention is keeping up with routine dental visits. Not only will you get a deep cleaning at each visit, but a dental hygienist can also check for any potential problems. You can also voice any concerns you have about your oral health.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene Habits
It isn’t enough for you to rely on periodic deep cleanings and dental checkups to maintain oral health. Practicing good oral-hygiene habits on a daily basis is the best way to improve the health of your teeth. By keeping up with daily brushing and flossing, you can keep your teeth strong and healthy to reduce your risk of problems that have to be fixed by your dentist.
Having healthy teeth is an important part of your overall wellbeing. While cosmetic appearance impacts your mental health, practicing good habits regularly can help keep your teeth functioning properly. Practicing the four habits above can help you have a beautiful, radiant smile that is fully functional for many years.
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