Keeping a Healthy Smile in the New Year

Keeping a Healthy Smile in the New Year

A smile is a small gesture that can go a long way. Smiles show kindness, laughter, love and friendship. Trust your smile to those who know all about maintaining and enhancing them, like the dentists at your Goodna dentist.

Along with twice-yearly dental check-ups and a good oral hygiene routine, here’s what you can do to keep your smile healthy in the New Year.

What does a healthy smile represent?

A smile often lets people know you’re approachable, confident and welcoming. A great smile and feeling comfortable with it is a great feature to have in social interactions, with loved ones, colleagues and strangers alike.

A helpful tool is practising your smile – don’t hide it away. It might seem tacky but smiling alone in front of a mirror is a great confidence booster, and if not – you’ll laugh which will turn into a smile anyway.

When you’re experiencing real happiness allow yourself to smile, don’t shy away from your face’s natural expression of joy.

If you’re unhappy with your current smile or feel like it could look better – don’t lose hope. Your Goodna dentist can help you get your smile back and the confidence that goes along with such a unique and beautiful feature.

Feed your healthy smile

The bacteria in our mouth feeds on the sugars in the food and drink we consume. This produces acid that damages the enamel, aka the protective layer of our teeth. It makes sense that consistent consumption of high-sugar food and drinks, will fasten tooth decay.

When your smile is healthy, you’re likely more willing to share it with others. To keep your smile healthy in the New Year, eat foods that are good for dental hygiene and avoid or limit those that aren’t.

Here are 7 foods to eat for a healthy smile, according to the Australian Society of Orthodontists:

• Cheese – combats acid erosion on teeth. 

• Fish – filled with vitamin D which helps absorb calcium.

• Oranges – packed with Vitamin C, slowing the progression of gum disease.

• Water – dehydration (lack of saliva) wreaks havoc in the mouth.

• Fruits and vegetables – high-fibre fruits and vegetables ‘scrub’ the teeth.

• Green and black tea – kills or suppresses plaque-causing bacteria. 

• Dark chocolate – 70% cocoa, in moderation, hardens tooth enamel.

Choose tap water as your number one drink choice. In Australia, we’re lucky enough to have fluoride in our tap drinking water, which aids in repairing the tooth’s surface.

By drinking Australian tap water, you’re maintaining your oral health and keeping hydrated at the same time – nice work!

Who can I trust with my healthy smile?

Redbank Plains Dental are your trusted dental choice in the Goodna area. We have a range of services from preventative and cosmetic dentistry to braces and orthodontics, to enhance and maintain healthy smiles.

A smile is one of the most beautiful things to have and to give. So, keep your smile healthy in the New Year with these tips, and the right help for you from your local Goodna dentist.

Want to know more about what it takes to keep a healthy smile? Contact your local dentist today to schedule your dental check-up.