Creative ideas to get a clean smile

There are many ways to get a beautiful smile. Of course brushing and flossing your teeth every day will help, but there are more non-traditional ways that you can have a healthy and happy smile. These tips can help:

Wear dark colors

Wearing darker colors can actually help make your face and your teeth look brighter and darker colors such as natural earth tones can inspire more brightness in your overall look. For example women who wear darker lip shade colors such as red, deep pink or rose, often have smiles that look more attractive and clean. The movie industry will do this trick often to make the actress's look more healthy. 

Change your toothpaste flavor 

Changing your toothpaste flavor can be a great way to get a healthy smile. If you stick with the flavor of mint or spearmint, you could become bored with the flavor. If you use it all the time you could be brushing your teeth too fast and rushing through the process. This can be unhealthy for your teeth. Rushing through the process will ensure that you're not getting a good enough cleansing process. But by changing your toothpaste flavor you will enjoy the new flavor and most likely brush longer. Because the human body naturally craves change and naturally you will brush your teeth longer.

Visit your dentist

Chances are you may visit your dentist when you have a toothache or something is bothering you in your mouth, but seeing your dentist regularly, at least twice a year can help prevent these types of problems from happening in the first place. Having a beautiful smile is about taking care of your teeth and that starts with being proactive, your dentist can help you keep your mouth clean.

Eat fresh greens

Since you were a child, you have probably heard that eating green vegetables is one of the best ways to stay healthy but most people don't talk about how good green vegetables are for your teeth.

Whether you use a juicer to get your greens or you eat salads, chances are you're not getting enough greens into your diet. Greens are not only good for your body but they improve your smile because they are healthy and loaded with antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. Having healthy teeth means having strong teeth and getting calcium in your body with green vegetables and dairy products can help improve the quality of your mouth.

When you take care of your teeth, you feel healthier and you want to smile more. Smiling is one of the best ways to approach other people and feel good in your body.

Making healthy choices is important not only for you but for your friends and family. When you start to take better care of your body, the people around you will see the positive changes and they will also want to be healthier. This is a social effect of taking care of you. Which means that essentially you and your loved ones can all get healthier together? Spending quality time together with your loved ones can also improve the quality of your health and you will naturally wan

Shannon Kaiser has natural white teeth, and she uses all of these tips she shares in this article to create a beautiful smile. She consulted with their friend who is a dentist inNewberg Oregon for tips for this article. 

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Everybody likes to indulge themselves a bit, or a lot, during the festive period and who am I to discourage anyone from doing so? However, once the festive dust has settled, the candles have all burned out and you've eaten every piece of chocolate in sight, are your teeth going to be aching under the strain?

Toothache isn't fun for anyone and, while it may be too late to pull the plug on your Christmas pig-out, increasing your tooth care in the New Year may just save you from pain in the long term.

Give Your Teeth a Break

This is something that you might be planning to do anyway; due to an overindulgence of sweet treats over the festive period, but it is a good idea to give your teeth a break from these types of food. This is especially the case for sticky food like toffees and caramel. These tend to become lodged between teeth and fill the places that are the most difficult to clean. Crisps are also a big culprit of this type of problem, as the little bits will find their way into any gaps in the tops of your teeth.

The build-up of this could lead to cavities and the emergence of plaque. Plaque is a film that covers the teeth, caused by bacteria and can easily harden to form tartar if left for a couple of days. With all that work they will have been doing recently, it is probably best to give them a good clean and lay off the chewing substances for a while.

Give those molars a break.

There’s More Than Just Brushing

We all know that brushing your teeth is a must and is a very effective way of keeping on top of your oral health but there is a lot more you can be doing to improve the standard of your gnashes. Similar to the way in which you would spring clean your home to have a proper clear out; after a period of excessive strain on your teeth, it might be a good idea to give them some thorough attention.

As well as brushing, it is advisable to floss regularly so that you can prevent the build-up of bacteria in those hard to reach places. Brushes rarely manage to clean in between teeth, where bacteria love to gather, so flossing is the best way to combat this. Also after you have brushed, there may be bits of bacteria or food that have become dislodged but are still hanging around in your mouth. Rinsing with mouth wash for a couple of minutes will help to remove these more effectively.

Brushes should not be your only weapon of choice.

Book a Dentist Appointment

During Christmas, it’s unlikely to be a priority on anybody’s list for them to make a trip to the dentist. However, after a sustained period of eating all sorts of things that may be harmful to your teeth, it is important that you book a check-up to make sure everything is fine.

Waiting until a problem occurs before having it checked out could lead to the problem being more difficult to treat. Toothache is a sign that anything causing trouble has already reached the middle of the tooth, where the nerves can be found, and so pre-empting this is advisable. If you visit your dentist soon after Christmas then you will be given the peace of mind to know that you teeth have survived the festive feast unscathed.

Chris Mayhew writes here on behalf of Smile care Cosmetic Centre. This cosmetic dentist offers professional and reliable services including implants, crowns and teethwhitening in Devon and the surrounding areas. 

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A recent analysis of magazines in waiting rooms has highlighted that they may be doing more harm than good by spreading germs amongst visitors.

Magazines in dental waiting rooms are a common occurrence throughout the country, offering patients an opportunity to take their mind of their impending appointment. They can also provide a welcome distraction for parents with children or those just looking to kill time before it’s their turn. A recent analysis of magazines in waiting rooms has highlighted that they may be doing more harm than good by spreading germs amongst visitors. It is believed that magazines should be disposed of and recycled after a week instead of being left on waiting tables for weeks on end.

NHS infection control workers have been handing this advice out to dental practices across the country in order to try and minimize the spread of germs and diseases. They have also been informing practices that if they fail to do so, it could lead to failing inspections by the Care Quality Commission.

Monica Symes, a dental practitioner in Dorset who has been approached by NHS infection control workers finds it difficult to comprehend waiting room magazines can pose any risk to patients. Currently at her practice there are a range of magazines dating all the way back to 2004, as she feels people find the old magazines interesting. Miss Symes was also advised by the control worker from Dorset Primary Care Trust that the Blu-Tack on posters throughout her waiting room posed health risks for patients if it was re-used.

The General Dental Council believes that the Dorset Primary Care Trust was being quite heavy handed through creating such a fuss over the magazines at the dental practice. Dr John Milne, the chairman of the organisation’s general practice committee argued that offering patients the option of looking at magazines in their waiting rooms is a good way to help them relax in an environment that makes some anxious individuals nervous. On the posters note, he pointed out that these posters are there to provide advice on good oral health or offer information about the dental surgery.

The Care Quality Commission has made it clear they have not banned magazines or Blu-Tack from dental waiting rooms. A spokesman discussed that there would only be an issue with these things if they were used to compromise a person using the service – something they feel would be very hard to actually identify.

The Primary Care Trust in Dorset has revealed there are no set rules as to the usage of magazines and Blu-Tack in waiting rooms; however it is important for them to be removed as part of a regular cleaning operation, removing those in poor condition that may be a contamination risk. This advice will be under review and may be reinforced if there are any future community infection outbreaks in a similar way to when magazines were removed from doctors’ waiting rooms during the swine flu outbreak.

Gareth writes on behalf of AXA PPP healthcare offer private dental options and can offer you a dental plan that can be used privately and with NHS dentists

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We are all taught from an early age that we need to brush our teeth twice a day, but other than that do you really know how to take care of your teeth? And we mean, REALLY take care of your teeth?

It would be easy to argue no, considering the fact that more and more of us of suffering from plaque, cavities and teeth discoloration. Yet these problems are not always your fault.

Sometimes, teeth discoloration is beyond your control…

So what is causing it?

Sugary foods, wine, coffee, cigarettes… each of these can contribute to the build up of plaque and ultimately teeth discoloration. Yet the real problem actually lies with how well you take care of your teeth.

You see, over the course of the day it is inevitable that your teeth with accumulate food debris. Now, as long as you properly brush this debris away at night you can limit staining and the build up of plaque. However fail to take care of your teeth, and over time your teeth with become damaged and discolored.

How can I prevent it?

You don’t have to let your teeth fall prey to poor hygiene. Below we have highlighted a few tips which can help you to improve the health and appearance of your teeth:

1. Use the right type of tooth brush – most dentists recommend using a softer brush with rounded ends as these will be gentler on your gums and cause fewer scratches.
   
   
2. Brush regularly – now we are not suggesting that you carry a tooth brush with you everywhere or that you brush your teeth every time you eat or drink, but brushing your teeth in the middle of the day (after lunch) – as well as after breakfast and before bedtime – will help to improve the health of your teeth.
   
   
3. Brush properly – the most effective way to brush your teeth is to place the bristles at a 45 degree angle to your gums before moving in small, circular motions – these strokes should be      repeated at least 20 times (3 teeth at a time).
   
   
   Now when it comes to the inside of your teeth, insert the brush vertically and use the heel of the brush to remove any debris.
   
   
   It is generally recommended that you brush for 3-5 minutes.
   
   
4. Create a full routine – your tooth brush will not be able to remove all food debris which is why it is important that you also floss and use inter dental brushes. Mouth washes can also help to wash away debris. Just be careful to not use them too regularly as some can cause damage to your teeth if used too excessively.
   
   
5. Change your tooth brush – you should roughly change your tooth brush every 3 months as by this point your bristles will have flared.

What if my teeth are still stained?

Proper dental hygiene will certainly help to improve the appearance of your teeth, however it won’t remove all staining, especially if you regularly smoke and drink coffee.

Fortunately you no longer have to live with this staining. In fact, it is now possible to afford-ably whiten your teeth without having to spend hundreds of pounds at the dentist: teeth whitening.

Home teeth whitening gels are an incredibly easy way to brighten your smile, as they use the very same Carbamide Peroxide gel used by dentists, to help whiten your teeth by up to 11 shades in a few weeks. The only difference between them is the creators of these gels have chosen to cut out the middleman (your dentist) and sell their teeth whitening gel directly to you.

Some big brand whitening gels have been used by dentists for over 20 years to help whiten teeth; however you can now readily buy it online and safely use it to remove staining, improve your smile and boost your confidence.

How do teeth whitening gels work?

Containing 120ml/cc of 16% Carbamide Peroxide, as this gels enters the pores on your teeth it creates active oxygen which converts colored compounds into colorless compounds. Simply apply this gel to the tooth mould you are supplied with and in 30 minutes, it is possible to notice reduced staining.

Next steps…

Taking care of your teeth can do more than help to improve their appearance. With long term care and attention, you can ensure for a healthier future and make sure your smile remains 100% yours.

So take the time to brush properly and experience the benefits of a healthier, more dazzling smile…

Thank you for reading, my name is Tracy, a dental assistant from London and I have looked into various methods to help educate people not only how to whiten teeth but how to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Do you follow my advice? Did you learn anything new or do you have something to add? Please leave a comment if you do, I would love to hear from you.

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There has been a growing debate among st experts about the impact leaving fluoride in your drinking water can have on your teeth. For instance, can it really prevent the build up of cavities? Or can it safely be removed from the filtration process?

Now whilst there have been no conclusive studies between drinking water and cavities. In communities such as Dorval, Que and Dryden where fluoride has been removed from their tap water, they have witnessed a significant increase in the number of cavity cases.

So in some ways you could argue that removing fluoride from drinking water could be bad for your teeth.

But can tap water whiten your teeth? Now that is the real question…

No. Whilst fluoride might be able to reduce cavities and in turn limit the amount of discoloration your teeth experiences; we wouldn't recommend turning to tap water as a means to whiten your teeth, as you are sure to be disappointed.

So how can I whiten my teeth?

If you are looking to turn back the clock and undo the impact of years of staining on your teeth, then there are a number of teeth whitening techniques you can try.

• Teeth whitening gels
  
  
  now you have got 2 choices with teeth whitening gels. You can either go to your dentist, pay £100-£750, get them to create a tooth mould and apply a 16% Carbamide Peroxide gel to your teeth over a series of sessions.
  
  
  Or you can invest in a home teeth whitening kit, access the same 16% Carbamide Peroxide gel formulation and apply this gel to your teeth at a fraction of the cost.
  
  
  I’m confused – why the price difference? There is a little secret that dentists don’t want you to know about. Namely the fact that they get their teeth whitening gels from the very same people who sell home teeth whitening kits to you.
  
  
  And it’s true. It’s the exact same gel. The only difference is you are paying for a dentist to apply it for you. Otherwise you are receiving the exact same treatment.
  
  
  How do teeth whitening gels work? Dr George’s Dental White for instance contains 120ml/cc of 16% Carbamide Peroxide which once it enters the pores on your teeth, creates active oxygen that converts colored compounds into colorless compounds.
  
  
  Essentially ‘bleaching’ your teeth, it is possible to see a difference in your teeth after 30 minutes. However wear Dental White for 30 minutes every day for 2 weeks, and you can help your teeth to become up to 11 shades lighter.
  
  
• Teeth whitening strips
  
  
  these generally contain a much weaker concentration of Carbamide Peroxide, but they have also been known to contain hydrogen peroxide and chlorine dioxide.
  
  
  Compared to teeth whitening gels, teeth whitening strips are designed to be worn on your teeth for a longer period of time (which is why they are usually only 10% or less) and stick directly to your teeth.
  
  
  In terms of effectiveness, teeth whitening strips can be hit and miss depending on how vigilant you are. For instance they have been known to cause streaks on your teeth which can make your teeth look unhealthy and even more discolored.
  
  
• Teeth whitening pens
  
  
  using a similar strength formulation to teeth whitening strips, teeth whitening pens can produce better results as you can apply the pen directly to each tooth. This will allow you to control how much you put on, though you will need to be careful that you apply it evenly.
  
  
• Home Remedies
  
  
  You don’t always have to buy a product in order to whiten your teeth. There are also a few home remedies which you can try that can help to remove staining and lighten your teeth.
  
  
  Give these remedies a try:
  
  
   - Strawberries - turn a strawberry into a mash and apply to your teeth every day (making sure to brush with toothpaste afterwards) is one quick technique for removing staining.                                       

          - Hard wood ash – the idea of rubbing this onto your teeth may not sound very appetising, but 

             hard wood ash contains potassium hydroxide which can remove staining and discoloration. 

         - Baking soda and toothpaste – this can taste quite bitter, but baking soda is great for               

           removing plaque and make them look shiny.         

  

Tara has ditched her days of coffee, smoking and bad teeth care to looking after the one and only set she has.  After her first laser teeth whitening session, Tara made these major changes to her life and hasn't stopped smiling since.

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