A beautiful, healthy smile takes work. Like your overall health, you need to instill healthy habits to make sure your oral health is on pointe.
Not properly brushing and flossing your teeth leads to build up of plaque and bacteria on your teeth and in your gums causing inflammation known has gingivitis. And not going in for your regular 6 month cleaning at the dentist will only compound the problem.
If left unchecked, gingivitis will lead to full blown periodontal disease which is not only associated with increased risk for cavities and tooth loss, but also increased risk for heart disease.
Of course poor dental health also leads to tooth decay which leads to cavities. And if you don’t get cavities fixed you will eventually start losing your teeth. Don’t wait to take proper care of your teeth until you start to develop problems because once you get stuck in a cycle of having to get fillings and root canals, it is hard to get out of it. It can get quite expensive to fix your teeth and gums and on top of that you will find yourself always embarrassed by the condition of your mouth.
Luckily though it is never too late to do something about all these issues. Here are 4 oral health tips for a more beautiful smile:
1. Good Daily Hygiene
Brush and floss your teeth and gums thoroughly. Don’t skimp on these important daily routines. Make sure you get rid of all the buildup of food and bacteria between your teeth and your gums. No matter how tired or rushed you are in the morning or before bed, take the time to maintain proper hygiene. Ask your dentist if there are certain dental tools that you can use to make the whole process easier.
2. Watch What You Eat
Stay away from foods that are filled with sugar like sweets and try to eat a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables and healthy proteins and carbohydrates. Healthy fats like those found in butter, olive oil and avocados are good for your teeth and bones. And fermented foods like yogurt have a good bacteria that can help get rid of the bad bacteria in your mouth.
3. See Your Dentist Regularly
Don’t forget to go to the dentist every 6 months for a good cleaning. The dental hygienist will give your teeth and gums a really good cleaning and will let you know if there are any problem spots brewing that might need to be fixed by the dentist.
If you do have cavities or the beginning of gum disease, have the dentist treat it right away. It is a lot easier to treat it the sooner you catch the problem.
4. Consider Braces for Bite Issues
If you have crooked teeth or a bite issue, get evaluated by an orthodontist. These issues make it more difficult to clean your teeth and gums properly and cause a lot more wear and tear on your teeth and gums.
Like with general dentistry, orthodontic work has become so much more advanced over the years and you have many different options to choose from. There are the traditional metal braces, Invisalign aligners which are clear plastic removable aligners, lingual braces which are attached to the backs of your teeth, and ceramic braces that are like traditional metal braces but are tooth colored making them more invisible.
Each type of treatment has its own lists of pros and cons so weigh them each carefully before making a final decision. If cost is a consideration, talk to your orthodontist about possible payment plants. They really want to help you as much as possible.
Here is what you need to know about each:
- These are permanently adhered to your teeth and can only be taken off by the orthodontist at the end of treatment
- The orthodontist tightens the wires during treatment to help shift the teeth
- There are certain food and drink restrictions with this treatment
- May have to wear them for 3 or more years depending on how your treatment goes
- Most bite and alignment issues can be treated by metal braces
- Kids and teens love using different colors of ligature ties. Check out our Braces Color Picker here.
- They are clear plastic aligners that can be easily removed
- Can be removed to eat and to brush and floss your teeth
- Treatment includes a new set of aligners every two weeks as your teeth shift into proper alignment
- Invisalign can also handle both simple and complicated alignment issues
Lingual Braces
- They are attached to the back of the teeth instead of the front making them practically invisible to the people around you. They are made up of brackets and wires like traditional braces, but because of their positioning they are more discrete.
- Some bite conditions that cannot be treated with lingual braces. Patients with a deep overbite are not good candidates for lingual braces because the overbite might put too much pressure on the brackets leading to the brackets falling off.
- Not all orthodontists offer this type of treatment. It requires special training because the wiring work is more intricate than it is with traditional treatment.
Ceramic Braces
- Ceramic braces use a combination of wires and clear ceramic brackets to make the braces less noticeable in the mouth.
- You get the benefit of traditional braces, but in a less obtrusive way.
- Keep in mind though that staining from food and drink is more of an issue with ceramic braces.
Whatever you do, don’t opt out of any treatment at all. Not fixing crooked teeth or misaligned jaws will just come back to bite you in the butt.
Want to learn more about how a straighter smile can improve your oral health and what treatment options are best for you? Call Orthodontics Limited today to schedule your free consultation. Don’t wait any longer. They have office locations in Northeast Philadelphia, Hatboro, and Rittenhouse Square in Center City. Choose the location that is most convenient for you and call them today.
