Dental Wellness in Werribee: Tips for a Healthy Smile 

Your smile is often the first thing people notice about you and a beautiful smile can leave a lasting impression. After all, a healthy smile is one that makes you feel good about yourself and makes you feel confident without even trying.

The good news is that a stunning smile is well within reach for anybody with a little time and effort. All it takes is some daily care and attention. The end result will be a bright, confident and healthy smile that steals the show. 

Here are some tips for a healthy smile put together by our team at Wyndham Dental! 

1. Brush Your Teeth Twice A Day

Brushing your teeth is one of the most basic yet essential steps you can take to keep your smile healthy, with the importance of it being instilled into us from a very young age. 

As a result, this act of brushing has become second nature to us. But,  are you using the proper brushing technique and spending enough time doing it? If you’re not sure, let’s refresh your memory with these steps on brushing your teeth properly.

1. Wet the bristles of your toothbrush and squeeze a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto it. We recommend using fluoride toothpaste as it can strengthen the enamel and protect your teeth. 
2. Hold your toothbrush at 45-degrees towards your gum line to allow the bristles to clean between your teeth and gums effectively. 
3. Brush your teeth in small circular motions across all surfaces of your teeth and your teeth to remove bacteria.  Avoid brushing too hard because it can lead to tooth sensitivity and gum recession. 
4. Finally, avoid rinsing your mouth with water right after brushing. Spit the toothpaste out and allow the protective layer of fluoride to sit on your teeth for a while before rinsing. 

There you have it. Follow this simple step twice a day for two minutes each time to enjoy a healthy smile free of tooth decay, gum disease or other dental problems. 

2. Floss, Floss! 

While brushing helps remove bacteria and plaque from your teeth, there are certain areas in your mouth that your brush can’t quite reach. When food particles or bacteria get stuck in these areas, it can lead to cavities, bad breath and gum disease unless you floss your teeth daily. 

Unlike brushing, flossing can reach even the most hard-to-reach areas in your mouth. Here’s the best way to floss: 

1. Start with around 30-45 cm of floss and wrap it around your middle fingers on each hand. 
2. Hold the floss tightly with your thumb and index fingers, and gently slide the floss between your teeth in a zigzag motion. Make sure to also slide floss up and down against your tooth surface. 
3. Make a ‘C’ shape with the floss and gently rub it against the side of the tooth using an up-and-down motion. 
4. Move along to the next tooth, unrolling a fresh section of floss. 

3. Eat Smile-Friendly Foods 

Good nutrition is key to a healthy smile. To enjoy a healthy smile for life, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet and reduce sugar intake. 

Why? Sugar is one of the leading factors that can contribute to tooth decay as the bacteria in your mouth feeds on these sugars, producing acids that can cause enamel erosion, resulting in discoloured and sensitive teeth.

So, what better reason than these to choose smile-friendly foods like crunchy fruits and veggies, nuts, or yoghurt? Not only are they healthy, but crunchy fruits and veggies can also stimulate your saliva flow, acting as a natural defence against gum disease and cavities while foods that are high in calcium, like cheese and milk, strengthen the tooth enamel. 

4. Stay Hydrated: Drink Water 

Ever heard of the saying hydration is key? In this case, it really is true and what better way to stay hydrated than with water? 

Staying hydrated has many benefits, such as promoting saliva production and keeping your mouth and teeth clean as it washes away bacteria and food particles in the mouth. 

Now, those sugary soft drinks and caffeinated drinks may seem appealing. In reality, however, they can lead to dental issues like tooth decay! So, let water be your trusted choice to keep yourself hydrated and protect your smile.

5. Visit Your Dentist Regularly 

While you may not know or recognise early warning signs of dental issues, your dentist is trained to recognise these signs early on making it important to see your dentist at least twice a year for regular check-ups, comprehensive oral examinations and cleanings.

As you’ve heard over and over, prevention is always better than cure, and regular visits to the dentist help us do just that – nip any dental issues in the bud to keep your smile healthy.

6. Avoid Tobacco Products 

We all long for bright and healthy smiles but smoking and tobacco products can cast a dark cloud over these desires, leaving your teeth yellow, causing bad breath and even increasing your risk of developing gum disease and oral cancer. It doesn’t end there – smoking can also lead to bone loss and affect wound healing.

So, while there are 101 reasons why you should quit smoking or using tobacco products, just know that doing so can also improve your oral health and smile. 

7. Take Care of Your Toothbrush

Your toothbrush is your trusty companion when it comes to keeping your teeth clean and healthy. Now, for your toothbrush to be your trusty sidekick and perform the role it’s meant to, it needs to be in tip-top shape. 

That is why it’s important to take care of your toothbrush. Here’s what you can do: 

• Make sure you rinse your toothbrush after every use to remove any leftover food particles or toothpaste from your brush. 
• Place it in an upright position to dry. 
• Replace your toothbrush every 3 months. 

By incorporating these best practices into your dental care routine, you can improve your oral health and maintain a healthy smile for years to come. Need more help or guidance?

Our dental team at Wyndham Dental is experienced in treating and helping countless patients maintain beautiful and healthy smiles in Werribee. So, if you think you could do with a check-up or some advice, schedule an appointment today!