A smile says a lot about a person. It is a window into their internal thoughts, conveying happiness, mirth, contentment, and other emotions. A smile can even convey sadness. Showing off your smile often can put those around you at ease, making you appear friendlier and more confident.

But what if you do not feel confident in your smile? Maybe poor oral hygiene or bad genetics have made you self-conscious about your smile, causing you to avoid displaying it in public. Even though most people would not notice anything wrong with your smile, you are afraid to show it off.

Taking care of your mouth is an important practice that can benefit your overall health. It can also create a brighter, whiter, and more confident smile. Here are some tips to take care of your mouth so that you can be proud to display your smile.

Brush Your Teeth Properly

The first and most basic step needed for oral care is brushing your teeth. However, many Americans are not aware of the best practices for brushing your teeth. First, you should consider doing so at least twice a day, perhaps after every meal if you really want to have cleaner teeth. Second, you should brush your teeth for at least two minutes. Anything less may not be sufficient to prevent tartar buildup. Rather than brushing back and forth, try to brush in small circles, as this is more effective at removing debris. Also, invest in high-quality toothpaste that can combat the impurities in your mouth. Look for all-natural ingredients for a better cleaning experience. 

Floss Regularly

Flossing is a practice that many take for granted. Often, they believe that brushing is enough to keep their teeth and gums clean. Unfortunately, food and debris can easily get stuck between your teeth in places where brush bristles are unable to penetrate. The more debris there is in between your teeth and gums, the more tartar can build up in those spaces. Flossing should become a regular practice, especially for the molars in the back of your mouth. These are often tighter together, making it even more difficult for the toothbrush to access the gaps. Make sure you floss between all your teeth to clear out the debris.

Use Mouthwash

Bacteria is a major problem for the health of your mouth. If there is a lot of bacteria present, it can speed up the process of tartar buildup. Since you put so much food and drink into your mouth when eating and drinking, it can be hard to keep up with the bacterial levels in your mouth. Mouthwash contains fluoride and other cleaning agents that can help eliminate bacteria. This can help prevent periodontal disease while also reducing cavities. Cavities are one of the most common problems faced by those with oral health concerns. This type of tooth decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth, so rinsing with mouthwash frequently can reduce the chance of cavities. 

Consider Dentures/Dental Implants

Sometimes, teeth can be too far gone to make them whole again. Maybe you have had poor hygiene to this point or you used to smoke and have lost teeth as a result. This can be a huge source of feeling self-conscious about your smile. If this is the case, you may want to consider dental implants or dentures. Dental implants can transform your smile by erasing the gaps in your mouth from lost or decayed teeth. This procedure covers up the issue with tooth replacements. Dentures are removable plates that contain artificial teeth that can also complete your smile and are an alternative to implants. 

Use Whitening Strips

Discolored teeth are one of the most common reasons why people are ashamed of their smiles. Pristine, pearly whites are often hard to obtain, and when we see others who have white teeth, it is easy to be self-conscious if our teeth have some yellowing. Fortunately, there are a lot of products on the market that can help you have whiter teeth in the future. Whitening toothpaste exists and can be helpful, but whitening strips are often more effective. These strips are usually adhered to your teeth for a certain amount of time to eliminate the substances that cause yellowing. Some dissolve on their own while others must be removed. 

Regain Confidence in Yourself and Your Smile

We often don’t know what we have until it is gone. Neglecting oral care, or engaging in bad habits that compromise the health of our mouths, can lead to the degradation of our smile. However, you can get that smile back by improving your hygiene practices and taking some cosmetic steps. Brushing your teeth properly, flossing regularly, and using mouthwash can promote stronger cleanliness in your mouth. If you want to go a step further, you can invest in whitening strips or dentures/implants. Once you have a brighter and more confident smile, you will be ready to show it off to others proudly. 

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