Something to Smile About

Something to Smile About

As the summer heat comes to an end and we enter the refreshing autumn months, we can’t help but smile! In fact, a healthy smile can brighten up every season. Studies show your smile has more of an effect on how others perceive you than you may think. According to studies, nearly 50% of people say a person’s teeth and smile is the first thing they notice. So, it’s important to take the time to care for your mouth each day to establish healthy habits that will last a lifetime!

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has shared a great list of tips and tricks to make the most of your smile.

Don’t rush the brush: Brushing, flossing, and rinsing are the essentials of oral beauty care, but a healthy beautiful mouth may take more time than you think. The AAO recommends re-vamping your daily routine to allow ten minutes for tooth care each morning and night. Having trouble finding the time? Substitute just 10 minutes of TV time for preparing your mouth for bed.

Squash germs: Did you know that brushing alone actually misses seventy-percent of your mouth? That’s why it’s essential to rinse with an antiseptic in order to clean 100% of your whole mouth and get rid of the germs that cause plaque and gingivitis.

A healthy shine: According to Kelton Research and Psychology Magazine, fifty-seven percent of people surveyed would rather have a nice smile than clear skin. A mouth full of white teeth not only makes your smile more beautiful, but it also makes you look younger. To maximize your dental shine, first ditch the packs: soda and cigarettes! Also, avoid dark food and beverages like red wine, cranberry juice, coffee, soy sauce, tomato sauce and balsamic vinegar. Afraid that means losing all your favorite flavors? Fear not, we have a great home remedy to have you smiling from ear to ear.

• Mix a whitening toothpaste, a teaspoon of baking soda, and a teaspoon of water in a small bowl
• Dip your toothbrush into the toothpaste mixture
• Brush and rinse as you normally would
• Repeat three times a month

Eat “detergent” foods: Foods like raw carrots, celery, corn, and apples are natural mouth cleansers. Luckily for you, fall is a time for great apple and veggie picking! Try to include detergent foods as part of your last meal of the day before brushing and bed.

Orthodontics: There may be a lot of tempting quick-fix options, but orthodontists provide the tried and true treatment for a healthy and beautiful straight smile. Plus, technology and appliance advances make treatment easier than ever to fit an adult lifestyle. For more information, and to find an orthodontist near you, visit www.MyLifeMySmile.org.

One last tip, relax a bit and laugh! There is no better way to make a lasting impression and show off that mega watt smile than laughing!

*Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net.*