Tips on how to keep your smile healthy

1. Brush twice a day

Brushing is the key to good dental health, fighting gum disease and a healthy looking, beautiful smile for life. Remember to brush twice a day for at least two minutes morning and night, giving attention to the gum line with small circular movements.

2. Floss before brushing

Flossing helps remove food particles that get stuck between your teeth. If these particles remain between teeth, dental health problems such as cavities and gingivitis can result. It is best to floss before brushing to remove plaque and loosen debris from the tooth surface.

3. Get dental checkups at least twice a year

Visiting the dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings is imperative for dental health and to maintain your healthy looking, beautiful smile. It is especially important for women who take birth control pills, or who are pregnant or menopausal, as they have an increased susceptibility to oral care problems such as gum disease and cavities.

4. Limit soft drinks, coffee and alcohol

Although these beverages contain a high level of phosphorous, which is a necessary mineral for a healthy mouth, too much phosphorous can deplete the body's level of calcium. This causes dental health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Beverages containing additives such as corn syrup and food dye can make pearly white teeth appear dull and discoloured. Therefore, it is best to choose beverages like milk, which helps strengthen teeth and build stronger enamel, giving you a healthy looking, beautiful smile.

5. Put out the cigarette

Smoking cigarettes is one of the greatest contributors to an unhealthy mouth. In addition to staining teeth, smoking interrupts calcium absorption in the body and can also cause potentially life-threatening diseases such as oral and lung cancers. So stop smoking and enjoy the health benefits as well as a healthy looking, beautiful smile.

6. Visit your dentist before and during pregnancy

Expectant mothers can suffer from pregnancy gingivitis caused by hormonal changes and increased blood flow in the body. To help prevent this, women planning a pregnancy should have their teeth cleaned to remove gingivitis and get a periodontal screening. Once pregnant, women should schedule regular dental checkups so any new gum disease resulting from their pregnancy is appropriately addressed.

7. Increase your calcium intake

Restore lost calcium with a daily supplement and by eating fruits and vegetables high in calcium, such as dark leafy greens. These foods will also help to lower the acid buildup in the saliva that can lead to breakdown of tooth enamel.

8. Sleep at least 8 hours nightly

Sleep allows the body to be replenished and renewed. Plus, you're more likely to flash your healthy, beautiful smile if you're well rested. Lack of sleep will cause the immune system to become rundown and depleted. This leaves you susceptible to infection from oral bacteria in your mouth.

9. Take a daily dose of vitamins C and D

Vitamins C and D help support the absorption of healthy mouth minerals such as calcium and phosphorous, which support the bone and gum tissue, keeping it healthy. This is an easy way to maintain dental health and fight gum disease.

10. Use the right toothbrush

Whether for children or adults, it's important to select just the right toothbrush, so look for one that will give you the clean you need with comfort and control.

11. Replace your toothbrush

Replacing your toothbrush every 3 months when the bristles become frayed and worn will keep your cleaning effective. Also replace your toothbrush or powered-toothbrush head after you have been sick to avoid harmful bacteria that may be stored on the toothbrush bristles.

12. Eat tooth friendly

Avoid sticky sweets that stick to your teeth and cause cavities, such as taffies and soft candies. Don't chew on ice, hard candies or other hard materials that can crack your teeth. Make sure to eat foods such as apples and carrots that clean the teeth naturally.