Health Upp Your smile is usually the first thing another person will notice about you— and before you even say a word! Because of this, many men are self-conscious about their appearance and try to hide their smile as much as possible. Some of the most common features that constitute an “imperfect smile” are broken/chipped/cracked teeth, crooked teeth, discolored teeth, gapped teeth, and missing teeth. Here are five ways that you can correct these common teeth issues, as well as improve your overall oral health.
1: Keep Up with a Good Brushing and Flossing Routine
No matter how you go about improving your smile, your foundation should always be a good oral routine. The ADA (American Dental Association) recommends brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. Some people choose to brush and floss after every meal, which is fine too.
Going to the dentist regularly is also a part of keeping a healthy oral routine. Ideally, you should be visiting the dentist twice a year for a routine cleaning and occasional screenings to detect any oral issues, such as cavities and oral cancer, as well as checking simple things like your gums, tongue, and tonsils.
2: Abstain from Smoking and Eat Healthy Foods
It’s very well-known that smoking causes breathing issues, lung cancer, and even heart disease, but tobacco also has negative effects on your oral health as well. This is why it’s important to quit smoking because on top of bad breath, smoking can also lead to:
- Mucosal lesions
- Oral cancer
- Periodontal disease
- Receding gums
- Teeth stains
It’s also helpful to each crunch fruits and vegetables (e.g., apples and carrots), as these help strengthen the teeth, and dairy products help control the amount of acid in the mouth. Also, be wary of drinks (such as coffee and red wine) that can stain the teeth.
3: Try Teeth Whitening Products
Even if you brush twice daily and don’t smoke, you can still have some discoloration of your teeth— especially if you’re a coffee drinker. You can start by switching to a whitening toothpaste and mouthwash, but there are other over the counter products that can also help whiten your teeth such as gels and strips.
You can also look into a professional whitening by an orthodontist. Just keep in mind that most dental insurance plans only cover cleanings and certain examinations, not teeth whitening. A professional teeth whitening is also pretty pricey, averaging around $650 per visit.
4: Braces and Teeth Aligners
When it comes to crooked teeth, metal braces are still the most common way people straighten their teeth, as well as the most common form of braces. However, you’re more likely to see this type of on children and adolescents, but many adults get metal braces as well. Even though metal braces are smaller and more comfortable than they were decades ago, there are other types of braces that are just as effective at straightening teeth:
- Ceramic braces
- Clear aligners
- Lingual braces
- Self-ligating braces
If you’re in need of braces, an orthodontist will determine which type will be the most effective for you. For example, more complex issues may not be completely corrected with invisible aligners, and a different type of braces or a combination of two may be more effective.
5: Implants and Other False Teeth
If you have missing, gapped, chipped, cracked, or even crooked teeth, you can look into getting false teeth or dental implants, depending on your needs. Dental implants look just like natural teeth and are a great option if you have one or a couple missing teeth. With cracked, crooked, chipped, and gap teeth, you can look into getting removable veneers to temporarily cover your teeth . This is an alternative to traditional veneers, which are permanent and much more expensive than a temporary tooth replacement option.
A new wave of confidence comes with having a straighter and whiter smile. Just remember that no matter how you choose to improve your smile, it’s still important to have good oral hygiene as your foundation, so don’t skip out on dentist appointments and daily brushing and flossing. These good habits (and abstaining from bad habits, like smoking) also contribute to good breath and good overall health.
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