As spring gives way to summer, many of us will start to look forward to big events like holidays, weddings and other celebrations. It’s a time when you want to look your best, which means you’re more likely to invest in things like new clothes, a spray tan, nail treatments and haircuts.
An often overlooked part of your appearance is your smile. A simple way to ensure you are photo-ready without the need for extensive cosmetic surgery is to focus on your smile. Researchers have found that strangers are more likely to underestimate a person’s age if they are smiling. So not only could a healthy and bright smile help to boost your confidence, it could also help you to look and feel younger.
Here at Leigh Dental Centre we have come up with 5 top tips to make your smile sparkle this summer.
1. Pay attention to your oral hygiene
The best way to improve your smile is to improve your oral hygiene routine. This means ensuring that you brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and use interdental aids to clean in between your teeth where brushing misses once a day.
This ensures that you do not get a build-up of food and drink particles which can cause staining and dull your teeth. If you’re not sure if you’re brushing your teeth correctly, we recommend a trip to the dental hygienist. They can give you some tips and tricks to help improve your oral health and make sure you aren’t missing any spots in your mouth.
2. Eat a balanced diet
A healthy mouth and white smile are very closely linked, so it is important to ensure that your diet contains plenty of teeth beneficial nutrients such as calcium and Vitamin C. This will help to reduce the risk of dental decay, enamel erosion and gum disease.
Top foods to improve your oral health include cheese, broccoli, cabbage and fortified breakfast cereals and juices. Simple switches in your diet can help you to care for your teeth while also improving your wider health.
For example, if you enjoy a glass of wine to wind down after work, simply eating a piece of cheese after your wine can help to counteract some of the negative effects of wine, including acid erosion and dental staining. Cheese contain calcium which helps to neutralise acids in your mouth while also remineralising your teeth.
3. Avoid food and drinks which will stain your pearly whites
Obviously as well as foods good for your teeth, there are some that can have a detrimental effect. Acidic foods such as citrus foods and fizzy drinks can weaken the tooth enamel and create an environment where decay causing bacteria can thrive causing discoloration.
Tea, coffee, red wine, smoking and tobacco use can all also increase the amount of staining present on your teeth. If staining is your main concern, a trip to our hygienist for a session of air polishing may help to restore your teeth to their natural shade.
Sometimes, a deep cleaning is all you need to restore your smile and your confidence. And if you decide to take this treatment further by investing in teeth whitening, your teeth will be more receptive to the treatment if they have just had a deep cleaning.
4. Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to brighten the natural colour of your teeth. At Leigh Dental Centre we offer Enlighten Teeth whitening and White Dental Beauty Teeth Whitening.
These are highly effective treatment plans that can deliver whiter teeth without increasing sensitivity. As there are a number of different systems available, our dental team will be able to advise you on the best one to meet your needs.
You can choose between in-office and at-home treatments, or a combination of the two. You can also choose treatment plans that will fit your lifestyle. Some can be worn for a few hours throughout the day, while others may be worn overnight while you sleep.
Once you have the custom trays for your teeth whitening treatment plan, you can easily top up your whitening at home and address any new staining.
5. Consider a smile makeover
For anyone looking for a more complete smile makeover, our dentists are able to put together a full treatment plan including veneers, crowns, teeth straightening and tooth whitening to provide you with the smile you desire.
A smile makeover is a unique treatment that will address your main concerns. It can include treatments to straighten your teeth, address small cracks and imperfections, and make your teeth appear whiter and brighter.
The wider oral health benefits of cosmetic dentistry
Achieving a whiter and brighter smile is about so much more than helping your confidence to soar. When you invest in your smile, you will typically enjoy much better oral health, and this can help to keep your teeth healthy for years to come. This can be down to a number of reasons, including:
When you invest in your smile, you are far more likely to take care of your teeth at home by brushing twice a day and flossing between your teeth. This is simply down to the fact that you will be more motivated to care for your teeth. Failing to care for your teeth would mean that your money has been wasted.
Deep cleaning helps to address more than just stains. When you visit the dental hygienist for a deep cleaning, they will remove all traces of plaque, tartar and bacteria from your teeth. This can help to protect against conditions like gum disease and tooth decay.
Teeth straightening treatments like braces will make your teeth easier to care for. Properly aligned teeth are much easier to clean and flossing will become easier. So your everyday brushing routine will become more effective if you have straighter teeth.
You’re less likely to skip appointments. Cosmetic treatments may need to be topped up or monitored, so you’re less likely to miss routine checkups. This can help to safeguard your oral health and help your dentist to monitor your teeth more effectively.
Final thoughts on achieving a brighter smile for summer
Not sure which treatment is right for you? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Book an appointment for a routine checkup and you’ll also have a chance to discuss cosmetic treatment options that will have you smiling with confidence by the summer time.
We can guide you through various treatment options and offer advice on essential treatments such as dental hygienist cleaning. Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal offers that will help you to save money on your treatment plan.
You can also spread the cost of treatment with a monthly payment plan. This will enable you to access the treatments you want without compromise. Payment plans help to make cosmetic treatments accessible to more people, even those living on a tight budget.
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