Dr. Kur’s Top 10 Tips For A Healthy & Dazzling Smile

If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably resolved to take better care of yourself in the New Year. Is your oral health on that list?

Poor oral health goes beyond your mouth. Your smile has a clear correlation between your personality, self-confidence, relationships and success. Additionally, you put your general health at risk for serious problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and other major conditions when you neglect your mouth. So, while you’re developing new routines to build a better you in 2017, don’t forget your oral health.

Many studies show that a bright smile isn’t only an indicator of a healthy mouth, but it also plays a significant role in your confidence and self-esteem. Think about it. If you aren’t comfortable with the way your teeth look, you’re probably holding back your smile and your interaction with others

I will never understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish. ~ Mother Teresa | ‘Forbes article ‘The Untapped Power Of Smiling’

The Psychology of a Smile

• When you smile, the world smiles back! A smile is infectious, it makes people happy. A study published in the journal Neuropsychologia reported that seeing a smiling face activates the orbitofrontal cortex, the region of your brain that processes sensory rewards. So, when a person sees you smiling, they actually feel rewarded.
• Turn that frown upside down. Smile! It makes you more attractive and younger looking. A smile tops the list of “things we first notice when meeting a new person”.
• You’re more approachable. When you smile it makes people more comfortable and open to a conversation. People enjoy watching & listening to a person who smiles.
• When you eat great food, it’s a party in your mouth. When you smile it’s a feel-good party in your brain. Your body is more relaxed when you smile, which contributes to good health and a stronger immune system. Serotonin release brought on by your smile serves as an anti-depressant/mood lifter. When you smile your brain activates neural messaging and releases endorphins that benefit your health and happiness.

Can you believe that nearly 48% of the population is unhappy with their teeth? Wow! It’s time to turn that frown upside down and bring back those smiles!

Here Are Dr. Kur’s Top 10 Tips For A Healthy & Dazzling Smile

There’s nothing more important to a healthy mouth than good, basic oral hygiene. While this sounds simple, all too frequently I find my patients having an “aha” moment while they’re sitting in my chair, discussing the root cause of their problem. Changing a few of your habits now can make a big difference in the months and years to come. ~ Dr. Kur

1. Brush and Floss Regularly

Brushing only once a day means your 33% more likely to develop tooth decay. Bacteria produces acid throughout the day, and even more when you’re eating. Brushing your teeth (and tongue) at least twice a day, for at least two minutes, and flossing once a day removes both food residue and harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease — any less and you risk allowing acid by-products to invade your enamel, increasing vulnerability for cavities.

One in four adults admit they don’t brush twice a day, less than a quarter of adults floss regularly, and shockingly 1 in 3 people have NEVER flossed their teeth ~ National Smile Organization

The absence of our antibacterial saliva at night means we’re extra vulnerable to cavity-causing agents and gum disease, so getting in the habit of brushing before bed will benefit you in the long run.

Use a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is not only effective at preventing cavities, it can also help repair tooth enamel.

In addition to daily brushing and flossing, an antimicrobial mouth rinse can reduce the bacteria and plaque activity, which cause gingivitis and gum disease, and will increase the cleanliness of your mouth. A fluoride mouth rinse will also help reduce and prevent tooth decay.

It’s extremely important to have a sound routine for your oral hygiene to avoid problems down the line.

HERE’S A LITTLE TRIVIA:

Did you know the first mass-produced toothbrush was invented in prison?

In 1770, an Englishman named William Addis was jailed for inciting a riot. He saw fellow prisoners using a rag covered in soot or salt to clean their teeth. Addis saved an animal bone from dinner and received bristles from a guard. Accounts state he bored tiny holes into the bone, inserted the bristles and sealed them with glue. After his release, he modified his prototype, started a company and manufactured his toothbrush. That company, Wisdom Toothbrushes, still exists in the United Kingdom today. ~ via MouthHealthy.org

2. Timing Is Everything

This may sound strange, but don’t brush or floss immediately after eating or drinking. Wait at least 60 minutes. When you eat and drink, acids are activated. These acids dissolve calcium on the surface enamel which “soften” the hard enamel covering of your teeth. Brushing too soon doesn’t allow your mouth enough time to neutralize the acids. This can have negative consequences which may lead to significant enamel erosion. Waiting allows your saliva enough time to neutralize the acid in your mouth, which re-mineralizes your enamel surfaces.

3. Pick The Right Toothbrush & Brush Properly

Aggressive, improper, brushing coupled with a hard-bristled toothbrush can cause irreversible damage to your gums. Use a soft toothbrush and gently brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle using a gentle, circular motion. Using a back-and-forth, sawing motion causes the gums to recede and can expose the root of the tooth, making teeth extremely sensitive.

4. Replace Your Toothbrush Frequently

Did you know the toothbrush is 5000 years old? Fascinating! How well do you know your toothbrush?

One out of five people cannot remember the last time they changed their toothbrush. Can you remember? If you answered, NO, it’s time to change your toothbrush. Not only do old toothbrushes harbor harmful bacteria that can cause infections, they are also ineffective to good oral hygiene. Toothbrushes should be changed every two to three months. If you suffer from an illness like a cold, flu, etc., change your toothbrush immediately after you’re healthy again.

5. Drink Plenty of Water

We all know the amazing health benefits of water, but did you ever think about the effects of water and your mouth? A hydrated mouth keeps sensitive tissues moist and promotes healthy saliva which fights germs, aids digestion and protects against decay. Additionally, a moist mouth avoids biofilm (plaque) accumulation and your risk for both tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease.

6. Stay Away from Sugar & Soda

Your mother was right when she warned that sugary snacks would lead to cavities. Sugar provides food for harmful bacteria, and sugary foods create an acidic environment in your mouth that’s hard on your teeth.

7. Limit the Soda, Too.

The sugar in sodas is definitely not good for your teeth, but there are other smile-defeating culprits in many sodas, as well. Citric acid and phosphoric acid, which are present in most sodas, weaken the enamel on your teeth and make them more vulnerable to decay. Cutting down on soda and replacing it with water will go a long way toward keeping your smile healthy.

8. Stop Smoking

There are many reasons to quit smoking, and tobacco’s detrimental effect on your smile is not the least of them. The most immediate and obvious effect is the yellowing and staining of your teeth caused by the tar and nicotine in tobacco smoke. However, smoking also encourages bacteria growth in your mouth, and that contributes to tooth decay and gum disease. Smoking and using smokeless tobacco also increases your risk of oral cancer, a condition that’s not just smile-threatening, but life-threatening.

9. Eat a Balanced Diet

In addition to removing the less-than-ideal items from your diet, make an effort to eat more healthy foods. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish and other nutritious foods contain antioxidants that seem to help your body to fight off inflammation, and eating these foods could help keep your gums healthy.
Raw fruits and vegetables have the added benefit of helping to clean your teeth clean as you chew; munching on celery is not a replacement for brushing and flossing, but every little bit helps.

10. Be a Regular Visitor to Your Dentist

Visiting your dentist at least twice a year for an exam and cleaning will help you to spot potential problems, such as the beginning of tooth decay or gum disease before they cause irreversible damage to your teeth and gums. Catching a minor problem before it turns into a major one will save you the money and time required by extensive procedures, and you won’t risk losing your “selfie-ready” smile.
If you start by following Dr. Kur’s 10 tips and give your teeth the attention they need, they’ll reward you with a beautiful, trouble-free smile.

Are You Happy With Your Smile?

If you are one of the 48% who is unhappy with their smile, give Dr. Kur a call. He’ll give you a reason to smile again.

Dr. Kur has brought smiles back to thousands of patients through his practice with dental implants & various corrective surgeries, as well as his work with Smile Train International; children born with cleft lip and palate are smiling again.

We Want To See You Smile!

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