Steps To A Better Smile

Did you ever wonder why some people possess beautiful smiles while others try but can never achieve the same result ? The secrets to a great smile are simple steps that each and every one of us can take. These steps will lead you to a brighter and better smile. 1. Take a little extra time to give your teeth the care they deserve. Did you know that it takes two to three minutes to adequately brush your teeth, yet most people spend less than 30 seconds brushing? Why is brushing this long so important ? Well, it all has to do with the millions bacteria that live, work, and play in our mouths, feeding on the food left on our teeth after meals. Acid is a by-product of this bacterial feasting, which in turn destroys enamel, creating cavities. Brush your teeth within 30 minutes of every meal because the bacteria feed on the food immediately, producing a super high concentration of acid in the first 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, your saliva takes over and neutralizes the acid so if you brush more than 30 minutes after a meal, it does little to protect your teeth.

The damage is already done. So there you have it. Start your timers! Brush often, and for 2-3 minutes! 2. Do a little flossing. It just might save your teeth. O.K., so you’ve heard that you need to floss at least once a day. But has anyone ever told you why ? You see it all has to do with bacteria again. These crafty little critters like to hide between your teeth, escaping the wrath of the toothbrush, continuously feeding on the food left behind, spewing out cavity causing acid. And even worse – if allowed to remain for a long time, these bacteria invade and destroy gum tissue as well as the bones and ligaments which support teeth. Flossing removes these bacteria from between teeth so they can no longer cause problems 3. It’s not just the candy that is dangerous to your smile. Bacteria feed on all foods containing sugars and other carbohydrates, not just candy. This includes fruits, juices, sport and soft drinks, peanut butter, crackers, potato chips, popcorn, etc.. Raisins and peanut butter that stick to teeth provide a constant source of energy for bacteria. What can you do to protect your teeth? Cut the candy out! Brush and floss after meals! If you cannot brush, rinse your mouth with water after meals. Chewing sugarless gum helps stimulate saliva flow, a natural plaque fighter. 4. Stop brushing so hard.

Incredibly, nearly two out of three people damage their own teeth by brushing too hard ! It takes very little pressure to remove bacteria, food, and plaque. Most people apply three to four times the necessary brushing pressure, causing damage to your teeth and gums, such as receding gums, sensitive teeth, notched teeth, and root cavities. When brushing with a manual toothbrush, light, gentle massaging of your teeth and gums for 2-3 minutes is all that is needed. The Sonicare “Ultrasonic” toothbrush is designed to help you brush safely and prevent tooth and gum damage by cleaning of hard to reach spots between your teeth. 5. Reduce your dependency on coffee and tea. Believe it or not, coffee and tea are two of the most dangerous threats to your smile by staining your teeth, destroying your naturally white smile. Worst yet, sipping coffee and tea throughout the day provides bacteria with a constant source of sugar to produce cavity causing acid. If that wasn’t bad enough, coffee and tea can cause small fractures in your teeth called crazes that occur when the teeth are forced to expand and contract. This expansion also causes mercury metal fillings in your mouth to expand and contract, causing further cracks in your teeth, allowing bacteria to enter the teeth, cause decay, infection, root canals, and possible tooth loss. 6. Visit your dentist more often. Did you realize that only 50% of Americans go to the dentist, and of those people, only ½ visit regularly? It is often recommended that you visit your dentist two times a year. This recommendation has no scientific research behind it. A toothpaste company in the1950’s had a marketing campaign that provided you with a free tube of toothpaste if you visited your dentist twice a year. The correct interval for you is when you visit the dentist, when you have little or no deposits (tartar) on your teeth. Visit your dentist more often for a comprehensive evaluation.