Ways to Show Your Smile Some Extra Love This Month

Love is in the air this month, so why not show your smile a little extra love too? We all know the best ways to take care of our smiles include brushing and flossing every day, making regular visits to see our Kansas City family dentist, eating a healthy, balanced diet, avoiding tobacco and other products that can stain our teeth, and wearing a mouthguard during contact sports. Here are a few other things that you can do to help show your smile a little extra love this month:

The Essentials (Always Worth Repeating):

We already mentioned a few of these, but they’re absolute musts if you want to show your smile some love and keep it looking its best. You simply can’t forget to…

• Brush twice a day.
• Floss every day to help remove plaque between your teeth.
• Use mouthwash to supplement your brushing.
• Replace your toothbrush or electric brush head every three or four months, and consider upgrading to an electric toothbrush if you haven’t already.
• Visit your Kansas City family dentist for biannual cleanings and checkups.
• Eat a balanced, healthy diet, and avoid acidic and sugary foods where possible.
• Stay hydrated.
• Steer clear of tobacco products.
• Wear a mouthguard when playing sports.

Lesser-Known Ways to Really Love Your Smile:

Those are the big ones, but what are some ways you can show your smile extra love this month? We’ve assembled a few tips that are perhaps less obvious but still come with your family dentist’s seal of approval!

Use a straw. Most of us indulge in beverages that are either acidic or can stain our teeth or both. These include coffee, tea, red wine, soda, and energy drinks. Drinking through a straw helps to reduce contact between these hazardous beverages and your front teeth.

Don’t brush right after acidic foods or drinks. We know, we know, your dentist is telling you not to brush? We’re only suggesting that you rinse with water and then wait at least 30 minutes after you eat or drink something high in acid. Those acids can weaken the enamel of your teeth, and brushing immediately may worsen the damage.

Chew sugar-free gum with xylitol. Chewing sugar-free gum can help promote the production of saliva, and saliva is one of your teeth’s first lines of defense against bacteria.

Mind your posture. Given how many of us work at desk jobs these days, posture and proper ergonomics are important to our overall health—including our dental health. Try to make it a point to stop and relax your jaw throughout the day. You may be surprised at the results!

Clean your tongue. Brushing your tongue may feel a little silly at first, but doing this can actually help with bad breath and even reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth.

Invest in a night guard, if needed. Many of us grind our teeth at night without even realizing that we’re doing it. This can result in jaw pain and damage to our teeth over time. The solution? A custom-fitted night guard, provided by your family dentist.

Don’t over-whiten. Teeth whitening is generally a safe and effective option that can help achieve brighter, whiter smiles. However, it is possible to overdo at-home whitening treatments, which can actually damage the enamel of your teeth. Before undertaking a teeth-whitening regimen, it’s always best to talk with your dentist.

The best way to show your smile some love is to take good care of it, and Blacker Family Dental in Kansas City is here to help you do just that! Call (816) 763-8400 or click here to schedule an appointment today!