How to Have a White and Healthy Smile

The perfect smile has always been desirable. But what once was seen as the Hollywood smile is now the Love Island smile, and a bright white grin seems more achievable than ever before.

With at-home treatments making straightening and whitening more affordable and accessible than ever, your dream smile is within reach. But it’s important to think about your oral hygiene, as well as your appearance.

According to new research from Philips Sonicare and the Oral Health Foundation, 20% of British adults have had cosmetic dentistry, while another 19% are considering cosmetic dental work in the future. 1 in 3 Brits are interested in teeth whitening – something that is twice as desirable as actually healthy teeth.

This is where the issue lies. Teeth whitening doesn’t leave your clean health or clean. It is a cosmetic treatment made to brighten the smile. But there are ways to have whiter and healthier teeth. And that’s what we’re going to talk about today.

‘White’ doesn’t mean ‘healthy’

Our perception of a healthy smile is somewhat distorted. What may look like a healthy smile, could in fact, just be the effects of cosmetic treatment such as veneers or teeth whitening.

Those that choose to whiten their teeth artificially are still susceptible to the same tooth decay, plaque, and tartar build-up as those who don’t. It’s also worth mentioning that although the teeth may look clean, this doesn’t mean your gums are any healthier, and they are still prone to disease.

It’s no secret that our smile can have a serious impact on our self-esteem. Those with gaps or tooth loss can often feel self-conscious about their smiles, while whiter teeth tend to make people feel more confident.

But whitening the teeth doesn’t reduce the chances of tooth loss or gum disease. And with gum disease now being linked to other conditions such as diabetes, dementia, heart disease, and strokes, it’s vital we consider health over appearance.

How to maintain a healthy mouth

While getting straighter and whiter teeth can be done with at home kits or DIY tips online (though we don’t recommend these), maintaining a healthy mouth is still the most important part of it. So how do you do it?

Well, it’s pretty simple. You should brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, using fluoride toothpaste. Whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush is entirely up to you, but you should be switching heads or brushes every three months. Your teeth aren’t the only place bacteria can build up…

It’s also recommended that you use floss or interdental cleaners to clean between the teeth and at the gumline. Kent Express stocks all types of professional quality cleaners, toothpaste, and brushes which you can shop for at kentexpress.co.uk.

Using mouthwash after brushing will leave you feeling fresh and ready to start the day, but also prevent bad breath by removing food and bacteria. For extra freshness, you can also chew sugar-free gum throughout the day.

Along with this daily routine, you should also book regular checkups with the dentist. Generally speaking, adults should book appointments twice a year to get everything checked over. Dentists will likely give your teeth a clean to prevent the build-up of tartar which can leave you with yellow or brown stains. If you’re somewhere in the US, you should check the dentists in avon lake ohio out to help with your oral care needs.

So, there’s nothing wrong with booking yourself in for a whitening treatment, but why not visit a hygienist for a quick clean too? It’s all about finding the balance between aesthetic and general dental hygiene.