Did you know that more than one-third of people in America alone are unhappy with their smiles? Some are so embarrassed by their teeth that they may try to keep themselves from smiling or laughing. Of course, no one should be ashamed about their smile.
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to make sure you have the best smile possible. But what characterizes a beautiful smile? More than that, how can you have beautiful teeth in the first place?
Keep reading and learn more about what makes a smile beautiful.
White Teeth
White teeth are one of the most attractive characteristics of a healthy smile. Keep in mind that your teeth don't have to be bright white like a piece of printing paper to be considered beautiful. However, they shouldn't be yellow or gray either.
A natural shade of white shows that your tooth enamel is in good health and that your teeth overall are healthy. But what should you do if your teeth are discolored? The first thing you should know is that you can prevent tooth discoloration by altering your diet and your dental hygiene habits.
For example, foods and drinks that have strong pigments such as red wine or coffee tend to stain teeth. The pigment in these drinks has a tendency to stick to tooth enamel and then stain the enamel. You can prevent this from happening as long as you brush your teeth soon after drinking these substances.
The power of your toothpaste and toothbrush should be enough to scrub away these pigments so they don't stain your teeth in the first place. If your teeth are already discolored, don't worry, because there are ways to whiten your teeth.
Ways to Whiten Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth with baking soda is a good way to remove stains from your teeth. Baking soda is quite abrasive and it can remove the top layer of your tooth enamel to show the whiter enamel underneath. However, brushing your teeth with baking soda too often can end up making your teeth sensitive and weak.
It may also not provide you with the results you're looking for. To whiten your teeth safely, it is best to go to a dentist and get your teeth professionally whitened. That way, your smile will be much brighter and you won't have to sacrifice the strength of your tooth enamel.
Straight Teeth
If you're looking to have the best smile you can possibly have, you'll need to make sure that your teeth are straight. Many adults with crooked teeth may feel that they aren't taken as seriously or seen as professional compared to other adults who have straight teeth. The problem with crooked teeth is that they are quite obvious and no amount of brushing or flossing will fix the problem.
Instead, you will need to get braces to straighten your teeth. Depending on how crooked your teeth are, you may need to wear braces for a year or even longer before you finally have straight teeth. The importance of straightening your teeth goes beyond the aesthetic part of it.
Having crooked teeth can be a detriment to your dental health in several ways. For example, if your teeth are very crooked, you might not be able to clean them properly. The bristles of your toothbrush may not be able to fit between your teeth because they are so crowded together.
If this is the case, you may end up suffering from a whole variety of dental problems such as cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.
What You Need to Know
If you have very crooked teeth, you may have trouble chewing food or even pronouncing certain words. In some cases, crooked teeth can misalign your jaw and cause headaches, among other problems.
By getting braces, you can fix all of these problems before they get any worse. Metal braces are the most traditional type of braces, but if you don't like the way they look, there are other options such as ceramic braces or clear aligners that you can try. They will all aim to straighten your teeth, although some of them may produce results faster than others and some might be much more expensive than others.
Healthy Teeth
You can't have beautiful teeth without having healthy teeth. Some of the most common dental problems include tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Many people have gum disease without even knowing it.
Gum disease can cause inflamed or red gums, bad breath, and in severe cases, it can even lead to tooth loss. You can prevent gum disease by simply flossing your teeth once a day. Tooth decay, on the other hand, results when the bacteria in your mouth produce acid and cause your tooth enamel to break down.
This can lead to tooth sensitivity, pain, discolored teeth, and occasionally tooth loss. You can prevent tooth decay by brushing your teeth twice a day or after eating. The same goes for cavities.
As long as you brush your teeth on a regular basis, you won't have to worry about most dental problems that will cause your smile to look unhealthy or unattractive. Of course, regular dental appointments will also help keep your teeth in good health.
Achieving the Best Smile
Achieving the best smile for your teeth isn't as hard as you might think. The characteristics of a beautiful smile include white teeth, straight teeth, and above all, healthy teeth. You can keep your teeth in good shape by flossing, brushing, visiting your dentist, and getting braces if you happen to need them.
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