Healthy and Clean: 5 Ways to Improve your Smile

Who doesn't want a brilliant, healthy smile? If you feel self-conscious about smiling because of your gums, teeth, or dentures, there are many ways to get a smile you can be proud to flash to everyone you meet. Here are five ways to get a more beautiful smile. Botox for a "Gummy Smile" Some people are bothered not by their teeth when they smile but by too much gum tissue showing. About two millimeters or less of gum tissue showing makes a smile appear normal to most people, but some people have two or even three times as much gums showing. In the past, costly and expensive surgery was the only treatment to treat a gummy smile, but Botox now offers a safe, fast, and easy way to correct the problem. Botox can improve your smile by paralyzing the upper lip "elevator" muscle to show less gum tissue when you flash your pearly whites. Teeth Whitening There are many types of teeth whitening products you can try to get a brighter, whiter smile. You can choose between at-home teeth whitening kits or an in-office teeth bleaching session. Both use a peroxide-based bleach, although an in-office treatment will provide more immediate results using a stronger solution. You will get the most dramatic results, or teeth that are three to eight shades brighter, after several in-office visits, but you can still get noticeable results at home. Floss Every Day Flossing removes plaque from areas a toothbrush cannot reach, which helps to prevent gingivitis and tooth decay. Make sure you floss the right way by wrapping the floss tightly against the tooth and gently sliding it up and down several times, all the way to the gumline. Flossing removes about 40% of the bacteria from your teeth which, left alone, cause gum disease that eats away at your gums and teeth. While flossing doesn't provide the same immediate gratification as in-office whitening or a crown, it does prevent disease that can ruin a beautiful smile. New Dentures or Denture Repairs Dentures can restore a smile you have lost, whether you need to replace some or all of your teeth. Dentures do far more than improve your smile; they also improve your health by making it easier to eat and chew and preventing loss of jaw bone. If you already have dentures that are showing signs of wear or even damage, denture repair from places like Smile Makers Dental can restore a beautiful smile. All types of damage can be repaired, including lost or broken teeth, cracks, and severe stains that can make you feel self-conscious about smiling. Practice a beautiful smile While a camera-ready smile comes naturally to some people, others could use a little work. Practice your smile in the mirror and learn how to smile gently with a relaxed face, which makes your smile look natural instead of forced. You can also play with turning your head and shoulders to find your best angle.