Franklin, TN
It’s easy to look around you and notice things you wish you had, like a perfect smile. While most perfect smiles don’t happen that way naturally, there are a few things that you can control that contribute to the look of your smile but sometimes you may need a little help from a qualified cosmetic dentist in Franklin. So today on the blog, Dr. Lee Palmer shares five things you should do if you want a perfect smile.
Brush your teeth twice a day
Brushing your teeth regularly at least twice a day is the foundation of a healthy, attractive smile. Brushing removes plaque buildup, which occurs on everyone’s teeth. This sticky film can be removed by brushing and flossing. But if you neglect your oral health and skip routine brushing, plaque hardens and turns into tartar, which is a hard substance that collects stains and can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. Ideally, brushing twice a day is enough to remove plaque, although everyone still requires dental cleanings to remove tartar buildup.
Floss before bed
Ideally, flossing before bed should be part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Flossing is the equivalent of brushing between your teeth which your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing also helps reduce your risk of developing gum disease and cavities between your teeth. However, if you skip flossing entirely or only do so occasionally, you’re only cleaning about two-thirds of the surfaces of your teeth and are likely to experience chronic bad breath, even if you don’t notice it yourself.
See the dentist every six months
Everyone should see the dentist twice a year or at least once every six months. In some cases, patients benefit from more frequent visits, like if they have gum disease or another oral condition that requires frequent monitoring. These dental visits should include a dental cleaning to remove tartar buildup and notate changes in your oral health, as well as a thorough examination by the dentist. Dental x-rays may also be taken once a year or whenever you experience dental pain or a problem tooth so that the dentist can make the best treatment recommendation.
Eat a balanced diet
Eating a perfectly healthy diet and never enjoying sweets or junk food is nearly impossible for most people, which is why we say that a balanced diet is key. Stick to whole foods like fruits and vegetables as often as possible, and limit your consumption of packaged snacks, chips, and sweets. Cheese or peanut butter paired with a fruit or veggie is a healthy snack that keeps you fuller for longer and is healthier for your teeth and your overall health than a bag of chips or crackers. This doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy something unhealthy from time to time but find the right balance. And when you do enjoy sweets or junk food, drink plenty of water along with it or brush and floss your teeth afterward to remove residual sugars.
Consider cosmetic dentistry
Daily oral hygiene practices and eating healthily are only part of the battle to maintain or achieve a perfect smile. Sometimes you can do all the right things and still have a lackluster smile. If this is the case for you, consider asking your dentist about cosmetic dentistry. Crooked, uneven, misshapen, gapped, or stained teeth are common complaints among patients. Thankfully, cosmetic dentistry offers options that can conceal any of these concerns, as well as replace missing teeth and restore bite function.
Cosmetic Dentist in Franklin and Thompson Station, Tennessee
Our Franklin dentist office, Lee Palmer, DDS, offers general and family dentistry, as well as cosmetic dentistry to help you achieve a perfect smile. If you should like to learn more about our services or find out which treatment is right for you, please contact our office by calling (615) 794-0756.