If you’ve been wondering how to smile better, look no further. We’re going to take you through 9 tips on how to have a nice smile so you can be confident smiling in pictures, in public, or even just to yourself.
Follow these steps to get pictures you’ll be happy to send to your friends and family members.
#1 Get Regular Dental Check-Ups
Having routine cleanings every six months helps to promote good oral health and a beautiful smile. When your cleanings are irregular, you can develop periodontal disease. This can cause unsightly swollen, receding, and bleeding gums. It’s also linked to health conditions like heart attack, stroke, diabetes, obesity, premature births, and sleep apnea.
In addition to removing stain and tartar from your teeth, your dental hygienist will also screen for health conditions like high blood pressure and oral cancer. Because many health conditions manifest themselves in the mouth, your dentist and hygienist can make you aware of issues that you should follow up on with your doctor.
#2. Teeth Whitening
Depending on your needs, there are a variety of whitening products available: gel pens, rinses, toothpastes, strips, over-the-counter trays, custom trays, and laser whitening. While the choices can be overwhelming, each type can have specific benefits that help you target problem areas. Whitening toothpastes and rinses are good for coffee and tea drinkers. Gel pens are good for touching up small areas, like a tooth that has shifted back and collects more stain. Custom trays and laser whitening provide professional strength whitening and offer the most dramatic results.
#3. Floss And Brush
Flossing removes plaque between teeth and out from under the gumlines, where a toothbrush can’t reach. Daily flossing helps prevent tooth decay and gingivitis. When left alone, plaque and tartar build up under the surface of the gum lines. This can cause periodontal disease, which leads to bone destruction and tooth loss.
This is a given, but many people still need to be reminded to brush their teeth at least twice a day. Because plaque can harden into tartar, frequent brushing helps teeth to stay whiter and healthier than in people who brush less often.
#4. Don’t Strain
Don’t overthink your smile. This will make it look forced, strained, and uncomfortable. Try and keep your smile natural and relaxed. This will help it look genuine and avoid the awkward tense smile many people accidentally give when a camera is turned on.
#5. Give Up Smoking
Smoking causes staining to your teeth. The stain from smoke is sometimes a superficial stain that can be polished off, but it can also soak deep into the enamel.
Smoking also damages healthy gums, causing them to recede and develop large pockets around the teeth. This makes teeth appear longer and creates dark spaces between them. Smoking also makes it very difficult to reverse gum disease.
#6. Limit Your Coffee, Tea And Red Wine
Drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine are known for staining teeth. Similar to smoking, these drinks can build up a superficial stain that your dentist or hygienist can polish off. But they can also cause internal staining of your tooth enamel.
Drinking through a straw can help reduce the stain on your teeth and may help reduce the risk of tooth decay. It can also help to rinse your mouth frequently with water so the dark liquid does not sit on your teeth for a long period between meals.
#7. Drink Plenty Of Water
Water is the healthiest drink for your smile and your body. It helps flush teeth clean and discourages tooth decay. Tap water is the best choice as it has the recommended dosage of fluoride. Many times bottled water comes from a source where the fluoride levels are not monitored, or contain no fluoride at all. A healthy level of fluoride promotes tooth health and discourages decay.
Frequent consumption of acidic or sugary drinks can increase decay rates dramatically. Athletes are quickly becoming an at-risk group as the effects of sports drinks take a toll on their teeth.
#8. Choose The Right Lipstick
For those of us who like wearing makeup, lip products can either help or hurt our smiles. Make sure lipstick doesn’t get stuck on your teeth. This will distract from your smile and, honestly, it’s pretty embarrassing. That’s the makeup equivalent of having spinach in your teeth.
Besides that, the color you choose can impact the look of your smile as well. Certain shades will make your teeth look whiter and brighter, while others can make them appear yellow and dull. Lighter or neutral colors can make your teeth look dull and yellower than they actually are. Try going for reds, pinks, and dark purples to make your teeth look as white and bright as possible.
#9. Moisten Your Teeth
This sounds like a weird one, but hear us out. Right before you smile for a picture, or in general, trace your tongue over your teeth to moisten them up a little bit.
Added a little spit to your teeth will make them look sparkly like they do on toothpaste ads. Moistening your teeth will make them glisten and sparkle, especially when taking a picture with the flash.