I am sure at one time or another you have heard the song "Smile". The music for this wonderful tune was written by none other than Charlie Chaplin back in 1936. And Chaplin knew a thing or two about making people laugh and smile.
But the smile has been with us since the beginning of life itself. So, you may ask, how do I achieve a beautiful smile?
It's really quite simple.
A dental health care regimen is vital, not only for your smile, but your overall well being too. Many more serious illnesses are a result of improper dental hygiene.
Let us begin with a daily task we are taught to perform as small children.
Brushing your teeth. Easy, right? Well, yes and no.
There are proper methods that need to be employed to receive the maximum benefit.
• Teeth should be brushed at an angle of forty five degrees.
• You must move the toothbrush in short elliptical strokes across the teeth and gums.
• This process should only include an area consisting of a few teeth at a time.
• If you are not spending at least three to four minutes on this procedure, you are moving too fast.
• One must cover the outer and inner enamel, as well as the top and bottom chewing areas.
• Using the tip of the brush at closer to ninety degrees, concentrate on the perpendicular spaces inside of the front teeth.
• Brushing should be done with mild pressure. We are not, after all, digging for gold.
• You should brush your teeth a minimum of twice daily and preferably after meals.
The tool we use to brush our teeth is called...TA DA! A toothbrush.
• What you need to look for in a good toothbrush: Soft bristled brushes normally provide the best results due to their ability to bend easily into cracks and crevices.
• A handle with a rubber or similar material grip is desirable to avoid slippage.
• The shape and size of your toothbrush should conform to your mouth as to where all areas are easily accessible.
• The toothbrush must be replaced on a regular basis as the bristles become worn. An average lifetime for most common brushes will be three to four months. This is very important, as a worn toothbrush cannot perform its duties properly and will provide for disappointing results.
It is recommended by the American Dental Association to use fluoride based toothpaste for optimal cleaning and prevention of tooth decay.
To complement the cleaning of your teeth and gums, it is also highly suggested that you floss daily as well.
Antimicrobial mouth rinses can be a valuable asset too.
You should schedule a visit with your dentist every six months or three thousand miles. But actually every six months is accurate assuming you don't experience any signs of discomfort in between. These visits may consist of a standard checkup as well as the periodic cleaning of your teeth and gums. Further, it will identify any early stages of tooth decay, gum disease and even something as serious as oral cancer.
Although we have covered many elements that pertain to proper dental health, none of this is rocket science or even time consuming.
Ultimately, you'll be healthier and look better, so that you can just SMILE.
Author Resource:
Kathy Klossner is the SEO webmaster for Natural Smiles Dentistry. For more information and to find a Salt Lake City Dentist , visit: www.NaturalSmilesDentistry.com