When it comes to first impressions, your smile is remarkably important. According to a recent study, it’s among the most prominent features that people remember after meeting you—and more often than not, they’ll remember attractive features over unpleasant ones.
A healthy smile is a key component when you’re meeting new people, so it’s crucial not to neglect your pearly whites. Add these seven simple habits to your dental hygiene regimen to ensure that your teeth stay as bright and white as ever.
WATER FLOSSING
What is water flossing? Do water flossers work? Well, to be concise: water flossing is a method of flushing out food and bacteria from crevices in the mouth—and it’s a super quick, easy, and clean way to rinse out your mouth. Traditional dental floss can cause irritation in the gums, not to mention that you have to put your hands in your mouth to do it effectively. So opt for a water flosser to achieve the same results with less work and less waste!
TEETH WHITENING
Whether you do it at home or get it done professionally, periodic teeth whitening is a key component in keeping your smile white. Doing it regularly will remove superficial stains before they set in, and with at-home whitening kits, the process can be as low-maintenance as a few minutes every other week.
QUIT SMOKING
Aside from its averse effects on your health, smoking is terrible for your teeth. If you’re a smoker, the first step in achieving and maintaining a first-impression-worthy smile is to put down the cigarettes. Not only does tobacco smoke stain your teeth, but it drastically increases your risk of developing gum disease—and healthy gums are, of course, the foundation of a healthy smile.
CHEW SUGAR FREE GUM
This is one way to keep your teeth clean and your breath fresh, but it’s only effective in maintaining a healthy smile if the gum is sugar free. Chewing gum increases salivation, which rinses your mouth, breaks down food and other bacteria, and helps protect from tooth decay—so start chewing!
USE A STRAW
It may seem like a small change, but using a straw for certain beverages has big benefits. When you’re drinking juice or soda, a straw will minimize contact between your teeth and the sugar or acid in your drink. As for coffee and wine, which are known to stain teeth, a straw will keep the liquid from touching your front teeth and dulling their shine.
BE DISCIPLINED IN YOUR ORAL CARE
It’s no secret that you’re supposed to brush, floss, and rinse twice a day—but in order to really keep your teeth and gums looking and feeling their healthiest, you need to do it every single day. Without fail. Rigidity is the most important part of a daily dental hygiene routine, so stick to it!
HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE!
Water cleans your mouth as you drink, rinsing away food, bacteria, and residue without leaving cavity-causing sugar behind like other drinks. Moreover, being well-hydrated will help you avoid dry mouth, which is known to cause bad breath, plaque buildup, and potential tooth decay.
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