Tips for A Beautiful, Healthy Smile from Orthodontist in Mission Viejo

A brighter smile and healthy teeth and gums can actually boost your confidence and help you feel better about your appearance. People with missing or misshapen teeth often are embarrassed to speak up and may try to hide their smile. With today’s modern advancements in dentistry, there are numerous options for almost any issue. As with your overall health, your diet is one of the main things that can help or hinder healthy teeth and gums.

Should I Get Braces?

Braces can straighten your teeth and fix a number of issues like spaces between teeth. Some people are worried they might not be able to put up with all the discomfort of traditional metal braces. For these, Invisalign is a good choice. It’s comfortable and easy to wear. It’s barely noticeable. The only downside is that it’s a bit more expensive that metal braces.

Tips for Healthy Teeth

Did you know that strawberries have an enzyme that acts like a natural bleach? Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots can keep your teeth white. Eating broccoli can ensure that your teeth won’t stain as easily. Any type of food or drink that would stain your clothing can also stain your teeth.  Coffee, tea and red wine are the most common offenders, but white wine can damage tooth enamel, so be sure to drink these in moderation.

Brush and Floss Regularly

Brushing and flossing regularly is the best way to keep your teeth and gums healthy. You’ll keep your teeth longer and in better condition and avoid tooth decay and gum disease. Be sure to see your dentist every six months for regular cleanings. If your dentist notices a problem, you can get it taken care of right away and avoid many more serious problems.

Whitening Kits

You’ll find whitening kits at any pharmacy or you can get them from your dentist. There are also a few homemade solutions that work.  Try brushing with an equal mix of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. You can substitute this for toothpaste once or twice a week. Don’t allow the mixture to just sit on your teeth; brush and rinse. This doesn’t work as well as many of the dental whitening products but can help you maintain that gleam in your smile.

Chipped or Broken Teeth

Chipped, broken, and cracked teeth can be repaired with bonding. This is a cosmetic procedure, where resin is applied and molded like putty to your tooth. A high-intensity light hardens the material and then your dentist will polish the newly bonded tooth.  This is a simple and inexpensive fix that can be done in a single visit. If your teeth need a little more help than this, consider porcelain veneers. These are more expensive but can transform any smile. Extremely thin (2 millimeters) veneers are custom-made for the front surface of each tooth.

A beautiful smile helps you feel good about yourself. You won’t be worried about laughing, talking or speaking in public when your teeth and gums are healthy.

Article written by Remarkable Smiles Orthodontics.  Dr. Mark Rashidi and his staff at Remarkable Smiles work with patients who are ready to get that perfect smile. As an Orthodontist in Mission Viejo, Dr. Rashidi also offers services in Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel and Irvine. He is highly skilled with traditional metal braces, ceramic braces and Invisalign.