Our friends across the pond in the UK celebrate National Smile Month from May 18th – June 18th. The campaign has been run by the Oral Health Foundation since 1979. During National Smile Month “the Oral Health Foundation will be raising awareness of important health issues and ready to put a smile on everybody’s face.”
While the campaign contest is focused on UK residents, Houston residents can still look for ways to celebrate their smiles during the month of June. Since the idea of National Smile Month is to put a smile on everyone’s face, we’re highlighting the best ways to protect your pearly whites.
Brush Your Teeth
The best way to celebrate your smile during National Smile Month is to make sure you are taking care of your teeth by brushing twice daily. Ideally, you should brush your teeth in the morning and the evening for two minutes each time. The Mayo Clinic explains, “When you brush your teeth, you help remove food and plaque — a sticky white film that forms on your teeth and contains bacteria.”
Floss and Use Mouthwash
You should also be flossing and using mouthwash regularly. Flossing once a day is important for cleaning your teeth and removing food and bacteria from between your teeth. It is also important to rinse with a mouthwash that contains fluoride.
Limit Your Sugar
Too much sugar is unhealthy for our bodies and our teeth. Of all the things you can eat that are bad for your smile, sugar tops the list. This is because sugar leads to tooth decay. We’ve all heard parents tell their kids that all that candy will lead to cavities, but there is truth to this threat. According to Healthline, “Sugar attracts harmful bacteria that destroy the tooth’s enamel, which can cause a cavity in the affected tooth […] Certain habits are linked to tooth decay, including snacking on high-sugar foods, drinking sugary or acidic beverages, sipping on sweet drinks and eating sticky foods.”
Replace Your Toothbrush
Here’s the truth – dentists in Houston know their patients are not replacing their toothbrushes as often as they should. And that’s a problem. Toothbrushes should be replaced every three months. Additionally, you should replace your toothbrush if it starts to look worn, which means it won’t clean your teeth as effectively. You should also replace your toothbrush if you’ve been sick. Since it is National Smile Month, this is the ideal time to start with a fresh toothbrush.
Drink More Water
Did you know drinking fluoridated water will strengthen your teeth and protect your teeth from tooth decay? It’s true! So, not only is water healthy for your body, but it is also great for your teeth! Moreover, drinking water is much better for your teeth than sugary drinks and carbonated beverages. It is also a good idea to swish with water after meals – especially after eating or drinking things that are known to stain teeth like red wine.
Quit Smoking
It’s 2020. You know smoking is bad for your overall health. But if the threat of cancer doesn’t keep you from smoking, maybe your vanity may. Smoking leads to several vanity issues, such as smoker’s lips (wrinkles from puckering to smoke) and yellowed or discolored teeth. Plus, smoking can cause oral cancer and gum disease.
According to Science Daily, “A new study has confirmed that regular smokers have a significantly increased risk of tooth loss. Male smokers are up to 3.6 times more likely to lose their teeth than non-smokers, whereas female smokers were found to be 2.5 times more likely.”
Get Dental Insurance
Sadly, one reason your smile is not its best and brightest is because of a lack of dental insurance. Studies show “37 million people in the U.S. don’t have dental coverage.” These people hesitate to visit the dentist in Houston because they can’t afford it. This means that not only do they miss out on care for oral issues, but they also miss out on preventative oral care. TruAssure claims, “People with dental insurance are 20 percent more likely to go to the dentist once every six months than those without it.”
If you do not have dental insurance currently, find an affordable program. Greenspoint Dental in Houston offers a variety of financing and payment options for those without dental insurance.
Schedule a Dental Checkup in Houston
Regular dental visits should be part of your calendar year. They are an effective way to practice preventative oral care. Your Houston dental care team can identify potential issues and treat minor issues before they become major problems. You should also schedule regular dental cleanings. If you do not have a dentist in Houston, Greenspoint is currently accepting new patients!
Brighten Your Smile
For some of you, National Smile Month is a nice reminder to treat yourself. If you have been considering a professional whitening treatment, June is a great time! At Greenspoint Dental, we offer Zoom Teeth Whitening, which makes your teeth up to eight shades whiter within a single visit. Professional Teeth Whitening is much more effective and faster than the teeth whitening strips you can purchase at a drug store.
In addition, Greenspoint Dental offers entire smile makeovers. If you do not feel like celebrating your smile because of cosmetic reasons, our dental care team can create a full makeover plan with various cosmetic dentistry procedures to give you the smile you want and deserve. Sometimes this includes a combination of Invisalign, gum contouring, and porcelain veneers.
Protect Your Teeth
Finally, National Smile Month is a good time to consider the different ways you can protect your smile. For example, if you play sports, it is critical to wear a mouthguard. Many people will also benefit from sealants. A sealant is an invisible coating that is applied to the surface of your teeth by a dentist to protect your teeth from dental infections and cavities.
Celebrate National Smile Month this June with Greenspoint Dental in Houston