Have you ever wondered what makes a smile beautiful? It’s one of the first things people see when you greet them, and is an obvious way to display pleasure and joy.
The smile is one of the most animated facial features, and plays a big part in self-expression. It’s for this reason special attention is often given to the appearance of a smile and how it is received by others.
While the foundation of a smile can’t necessarily be changed as completely as one might swap out an outfit, there are numerous ways in which it can be improved and made to look its best.
Here are just 5 ways to get you started down that road to a beautiful smile.
A beautiful smile is most often associated with white teeth; although the whiteness of one’s teeth is only one factor, having dark or discoloured teeth will definitely make your smile less attractive, and it can become harder to maintain as one gets older. The colour of our teeth is determined by the colour of the underlying dentine, the thickness of the enamel and any surface stains. Enamel has very little colour…it looks like frosted glass. If the enamel is very worn or thin, the underlying colour will be more prominent. As we age and as our teeth are exposed to wear, tear and trauma, the enamel generally becomes thinner, and the dentine becomes thicker and more opaque. Hence as we age our teeth tend to look darker.
Fortunately, achieving a bright grin is not an impossible feat in a day and age with numerous lightening options. Whitening offerings that are available to consumers fall into two categories, according to the Canadian Dental Association.
The first is surface whiteners, which are usually toothpastes and gums that use abrasives to help remove stains. While most of these products are not likely to cause excessive tooth wear, their effectiveness is limited to surface discolouration and will only make your teeth whiter if they are dark because of surface stains.
The second category is bleach products, most of which have a peroxide base that can actually change the colour of the tooth. There are a number of ways to do this, including wearing a mouth guard filled with a special bleach, brushing with the substance mixed in toothpaste or applying it directly to stained teeth and using heat to trigger the bleaching process. Whatever method a dentist decides to use will depend on the number of teeth needing treatment and the degree to which they are stained.
While the CDA suggests bleaching be done only under a dentist’s care, home-bleaching systems are available to the general public. Clinical studies support the safety and effectiveness of appropriately used home-bleaching kits, however, the long-term effects of “excessive” tooth bleaching are unknown and still require research, according to the association.
2. The Straight Facts on Symmetry
Beautiful smiles generally have some symmetry. Usually the two upper middle teeth (centrals) are very symmetrical. The remaining teeth however do have some symmetry from left to right although they are not mirror images. If they are too symmetrical then the teeth will look fake.
Usually the teeth should fill the space between the upper and lower lips and the space on the sides as you look towards the back teeth. The upper teeth should follow the lower lip and the upper arch essentially should be parallel to a horizontal line drawn between the pupils. The gum height is another factor. If there is a lack of symmetry with the gums then certain teeth will look too long or too short.
Crooked teeth are another factor that may be keeping some from their most beautiful smile.
Not only can they be a visual concern, but teeth that are not properly aligned can lead to bigger issues. Teeth that are overcrowded or sticking out can be more difficult to clean – potentially leading to tooth decay or gum disease. Orthodontics is a straightening option at any age, and the treatment is no longer synonymous with full-metal headgear or unesthetic metal brackets. Braces – which are the most common form of treatment – are much smaller and less intrusive than they once were and they are available in clear/white so that they are less noticeable. And today many patients opt for Invisalign which is a clear plastic retainer that is used in lieu of braces to move the teeth.
Although this is not a complete list of factors this does cover the most important elements. A complete esthetic evaluation is your first step to improving your smile. If you or your dentists cannot point out what is “wrong” or what is affecting your smile negatively, it will be very
3. Proper Hygiene is Key
While a dental professional can offer a significant amount of help in creating a beautiful smile, at the end of the day, an individual plays the biggest role in the aesthetics department.
Establishing and maintaining proper hygiene habits will help ensure a healthy smile free from odour, plaque, decay and even disease.
The CDA recommends brushing after every meal using a soft toothbrush with rounded bristles. Some extra tips to get the most out of your brushing experience include changing up your brushing pattern to avoid missing spots, spending at least two to three minutes brushing and positioning your brush at a 45 degree angle to your teeth.
Flossing picks up any plaque your toothbrush can’t reach, and the CDA recommends doing it at least once a day before brushing to prevent plaque from hardening into tartar (a process that takes just 24-36 hours). Make flossing a part of your routine by doing it while watching TV or reading the newspaper in the morning.
4. Diet Do’s & Don’ts
A smile beaming with straight, pearly whites can appear perfect, but nothing ruins the image like bad breath. Fortunately, there are natural steps that can be taken to combat this beauty killer, beginning with what one ingests.
Diet can play a big role in oral hygiene, with some foods in particular being strong combatants against odours.
Parsley, for example, contains the natural deodorizer chlorophyll, while yogurt has been found to reduce levels of hydrogen sulfide, which causes bad breath. Oranges, lemons and other foods rich in vitamin C help neutralize odours caused by more smelly foods such as garlic, and green tea is rich in antioxidants that help keep bacteria from lingering in the mouth.
While apples are said to help eliminate plaque, crunchy foods in general are great for removing particles left behind by softer, chewier items.
Another good habit is to drink plenty of water, as it not only prevents a dry mouth preferred by odours, but helps rinse away any leftover food scraps and crumbs.
And, just as there are foods that help promote a beautiful smile, there are some that work against it.
Foods that are sticky and high in sugar can be detrimental to your oral health, while items such as coffee and red wine can stain the enamel on your teeth, giving them a yellow tinge.
5. Don’t Skip Dental Visits
Attending your regular dental appointments not only means your teeth are being cleaned routinely, but it also ensures any potential problems are addressed as they arise. Preventative treatments are always preferred over reactive measures, and keeping a professional eye on any oral changes or concerns could help avoid major intervention down the road.
And, while visiting the dentist may not be everyone’s favourite task, doing it often will help make it feel less like a burdensome chore and more of a simple, routine errand.
Whether it be making simple dietary changes or undergoing a more involved orthodontic treatment, there are numerous paths one can take towards a beautiful smile.
While some of the cosmetic options may not be suitable for each individual case, there are simple habits – such as good hygiene and diet practices – that everyone can make to improve their oral health.
By being conscious of these measures and incorporating them into your life, you’re sure to have a smile worth beaming about.
Dr. Peter Balogh (DDS) is a cosmetic dentist for Vancouver Centre for Cosmetic Implant Dentistry. He specializes in Dental Implantology and Cosmetic Dentistry. He has been providing implant services in the Greater Vancouver area since 1992. You can follow him on Google+.
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Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day! 
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