Laura Lane gives some tips on showing your oral health some love.

If like me, you feel you do have not the perfect smile, you feel you have wonky teeth, or perhaps you think they are not white enough, here are some tips to help you love your smile! We all have insecurities about how we look, I know I most certainly do – but let’s not be hard on ourselves this Valentine’s Day and show some love to our natural smiles.

With the annual day of romance and love creeping up on us, what better way to celebrate than showing our smiles some affection, and showing off that part of us that can light up the room?

Here are some fun and easy ways to get ready this Valentine’s season.

Start your day with a fresh feeling

When you wake up in the morning the first thing that you want to achieve is a fresh mouth and clean teeth. I look at this as a mini spa day for my mouth! So, let’s look at how we can achieve this by brushing and flossing. Start off by brushing for at least two minutes twice a day, using fluoride toothpaste to help fight off those nasty cavities and keep your enamel strong. Don’t forget the importance of flossing between your teeth either – all those small gaps and spaces need to feel the love too!

After this, it is great to finish off with a rinse around with your favourite mouthwash. This will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to face the day with that gleaming smile.

The way to whiter, brighter teeth

Have you ever thought about what it might be like to have a brighter, whiter smile? For some, it might be the ultimate Valentine’s gift to themselves. If you are looking to brighten your teeth before Valentine’s Day there are plenty of options available – including professional whitening treatments from your dentist which can leave you with incredible results! However, depending on the financial cost involved this might not be for everyone. If looking for a more cost-efficient solution, why not pop along to your local shops and look for a whitening toothpaste that can help to remove stubborn stains and give you a lighter, more radiant smile?

If like me you love your coffee (I am sitting and typing with a delicious cup right now) or a glass or two of red wine, try to rinse your mouth out with water after enjoying. Whilst this is not always a convenient option, especially whilst in a cafe or bar, it can help to minimise stains and keep your smile looking that much fresher for longer.

Hydration

As we all know, hydration is an important part of any healthy lifestyle. This not only applies to our bodies, but to our mouths too. It helps to wash away food particles and bacteria that cause bad breath, whilst energising and hydrating our internal organs as well. After all, we do not want to be going in for that smooch on Valentine’s Day to be faced with bad breath and a lack of energy! A hydrated mouth means fresher breath and a more radiant smile, so make sure you are sipping your water throughout the day and after every meal.

Gum love

We have talked about teeth as a vital part of our oral health, but what about our gums? They need plenty of love too. Gums are the foundation of a healthy smile, so it is important we keep them healthy and don’t neglect them. Be sure to gently brush your gums with a soft, antimicrobial toothbrush and use mouthwash to fight the build-up of bacteria that can lead to gum disease. I have been using a Curaprox toothbrush lately as I admit my poor gums were not getting the love they deserved with my forceful brushing, and I should know best! But now I am able to show them love from the lessons I have learnt.

It is worth noting that if you notice any bleeding, puffy gums or discomfort, make sure to book a date with your dentist.Remember, healthy gums mean a healthy smile!

A smile makeover

Another way to improve your smile is by treating yourself to a smile makeover. This has become increasingly popular over the last few years. From teeth whitening to veneers, crowns, composite bonding, and Invisalign, there are many options to choose from. Book a consultation with your dentist to explore these options and see the smile you could achieve.

Embrace yourself

As we know, Valentine’s Day is all about love. Let’s all start by loving ourselves before anyone else, shall we? Make sure to embrace your smile, your quirks and everything you do. We are all different, but we can all spread positivity if we put our minds to it.

Remember, if you are planning a romantic meal with a significant other, or a fun night out with friends and family this month, your smile is one of your greatest attributes, and uniquely yours. So forget about designer lipstick or purchasing a new dress, your smile is the most beautiful thing you can possibly wear!

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