Having perfect teeth can seem a daunting prospect, or an expensive one, for some people but it doesn’t need to be that way as there are many options available to people looking for the perfect smile. Here is a comprehensive guide for how to look after your teeth and some options available to fix the issues you may have with your teeth.
Perfect teeth start at home
Taking care of your teeth should be a daily regimen and something that shouldn’t take too long for you to easily adapt into your daily grooming.
The obvious but crucial first step is to brush your teeth twice daily. This should only take a couple of minutes to complete and it’s the first step in removing the plaque from your teeth and preventing any debris from building up on your teeth. Always ensure you use a fluoride based toothpaste because fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. Don’t use too much toothpaste though, as it is an abrasive agent that can erode away soft areas of the enamel if used in too high a dose. A pea sized ball of toothpaste should be sufficient for your needs.
The second step is to floss between your teeth on a daily basis with either dental floss or an interdental brush. When it comes to flossing, it is best to floss before brushing your teeth as it can remove the plaque that runs along the gum line and can help reduce the chance of gum disease and help you have fresher breath. You should use approximately 12 to 18 inches of floss tape to do so, and grasp a couple inches of it taut between the hands. Slip the floss between the teeth as far as it can go down to where the teeth and gums meet, then stroke with 8 to 10 strokes up and down the tooth to dislodge and food debris or plaque from the teeth.
Using a mouthwash that contains fluoride can be helpful, but remember not to use mouthwash straight after brushing your teeth, as it removes the concentrated fluoride from the teeth from your toothpaste. It is also recommended not to eat or drink for approximately 30 minutes after using a fluoride based mouthwash.
How often should i visit my dentist
When it comes to visiting your dentist, be your dentists London or Shanghai, this should be done once every couple of years as a minimum for adults, and once a year for children. If you are going to need further treatment this number may increase to a few visits in the year, but it is also recommended to visit your oral hygienist a few times a year to help maintain your teeth.
What can you do to fix any problems with your teeth?
Firstly, you can cut down on the number of sugary foods and drinks you have and restricting them to once or twice a week at mealtimes would be much better for your teeth. This will help to stop the build up of plaque on your teeth and help prevent decay.
Secondly, you can stop smoking, if you do smoke, as it can cause a build up of tar and cause yellowing of the teeth making them unsightly. It also causes other problems with the mouth such as gum disease (periodontal disease) and increases the risk of mouth and lip cancer.
Lastly, you can increase your activity in your lifestyle, as exercise will help to maintain good teeth with increased blood flow, and build a healthy diet which will help you in taking a big step to promoting stronger teeth and bones.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a process of bleaching the teeth and can lighten the colour by a few shades, bringing them closer to white. Teeth whitening should be carried out by a dentist or another regulated dental professional, so long as it has been prescribed by a dentist.
You could also try a home kit, but ensure to follow the guidelines, as it is not a recommended form of teeth whitening as they often do not contain enough of the whitening agent for the desired effect and can often come with ill-fitting mouthguards, leading to the agent leaking onto your gums and in the mouth which can cause blistering and sensitivity.
If you are to go to a salon that offers teeth whitening as a treatment, ensure there is a dental professional present when the procedure takes place, as it is illegal for the procedure to take place without one present.
You can always ask your dentist if teeth whitening is right for you and it may be prescribed if it is suitable in your case, but remember teeth whitening isn’t permanent and lasts anywhere from 3 months to 3 years dependant on the person. The effect of the whitening will fade more rapidly if you smoke, drink red wine, coffee or tea, as these do stain the teeth. Unfortunately, teeth whitening will not work on dentures, crowns, fillings or veneers.
Veneers
Veneers could be a welcome brightening to the facia of your teeth. Veneers are a thin layer of porcelain which are glued to the front of the teeth. Before the enamel can be placed on the front of the tooth, an impression is taken of the mouth and the veneers are prepared. They are eggshell thin and have to be handled with care because they are fragile before put in place. You will have a local anesthetic for the procedure, as the dentist will have to remove a small layer of the outside of your teeth in order to apply the veneer. This can be a costly procedure, but will give a desired outcome.
If all else fails, try dental implants
Dental implants are artificial teeth which are attached to the bone behind the gum. Dental implants can now be done in a procedure which lasts approximately seven hours and will take place after first receiving a full CT scan of the mouth to prepare custom titanium rods for the implants. The procedure used to be a drawn out process with several visits to allow for the patient to heal between the stages of the procedure, but can now be completed in a day so the patient will have a quicker healing time and better success rate.
So the journey for your perfect teeth starts at home with your dental hygiene routine, and can be well maintained by visiting your dental professional on a regular basis. Your specific circumstances could require further treatment to ensure that perfect smile is maintained, some of which may be costly, but it will all be worth it with the confidence it will bring to have that perfect toothy smile.
