Our appearance is important to us. For many people, it can be an obsession. Billions of dollars are spent by Americans every year to improve their appearance.
One area of a person’s looks that can make or break their appearance is their smile. No matter how many cosmetic surgeries, hair implants, or Botox shots you have, if your teeth look bad, none of the other changes matter.
The good news is this: You don’t have to spend a fortune to keep your teeth in good shape. In fact, with just a few routines and yearly changes to a few things, your smile will be healthy and attractive. As an orthodontist, I can heartily recommend that you do the following regularly:
- Start a smart, proactive home dental health routine. Brush every day, at least twice a day after breakfast and dinner. Simple and inexpensive, but true. Brush for at least two minutes. Floss once daily or if you feel something stuck between your teeth, like corn or cereal. Then, rinse with a fluoridated mouthwash that kills germs inside your mouth and freshens your breath.
- Eliminate foods that stain your teeth. Certain foods can stain your teeth such as tea, energy drinks, sauces, carbonated drinks, and candy. You can prevent stains and still enjoy eating by switching these stain-causing foods for foods that can brighten your smile. The list includes apples, carrots, pineapple, yogurt, milk, and cheese.
- Stop smoking. If you are smoking, then you are turning your teeth yellow. Tobacco wears away enamel and stains teeth. It’s an unhealthy habit, as we all know. All tobacco use, including chewing tobacco products, has to stop.
- Know about Periodontitis and how to fight it. Periodontitis is the final stage of gum disease. It destroys the bone that supports your teeth. Additionally, it causes teeth to loosen and even fall out. The good news is that advanced gum disease is preventable, Poor oral hygiene is the cause. We return to having a strong at-home routine to prevent periodontitis. People over 65 years old are most at risk. However, it may hereditary, tobacco use, prescription medications, stress, bruxism, and obesity. Reducing these risk factors (other than age or genetics, of course) may prevent gum disease.
- See your dentist at least twice a year. We advise our patients to see us every six months for an oral evaluation and dental cleaning. During your dental visit, we will clean your teeth and check for gum disease. During your oral assessment, we will also check for oral problems, by looking at your face, neck, and mouth for any abnormalities. We will schedule you for a dental visit in six months. Doing dental cleanings twice a month makes cleanings easier, as plaque doesn’t build up during that time.
- Consider a dental cosmetic makeover. Cosmetic Dentistry has come a long way. It’s safe and affordable. All Smiles Bethesda offers tooth whitening, veneers, crowns, and Invisalign to improve your smile. We offer state-of-the-art professional whitening solutions using Opalescence and Zoom! brands. After one visit, whitening can give you a smile that’s up to eight shades brighter! Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or composite that are applied to the front surface of a tooth to cover imperfections. Our dental practice offers high-quality porcelain and composite veneers, such as EMAX and Bioclear. Your veneers are customized depending on the shape of your teeth, color, or size. Invisalign helps you achieve a straight smile using aligners made of clear plastic. They are almost invisible, and most people will never even notice that you’re wearing something on your teeth.
Proper dental care to make your smile attractive and healthy truly starts at home. It only takes a few minutes a day along with visiting your dentist twice a year for regular dental cleanings.
All Smiles Bethesda has experienced dentists and dental hygienists who can take care of your teeth and answer any of your questions. We would like to help you maintain your teeth and treat dental issues at their beginning stages versus their advanced stages. If you would like to schedule an appointment for you or your family, please call us at 301-984-9646 or email us at info@allsmilesbethesda.com or lorraine@allsmilesbethesda.com.
We serve the Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, and Washington, DC areas.