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5 Tips for a Better Smile Because You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile

Portrait of young woman with beautiful smile
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They say you should only take care of the teeth you want to keep. But why do a lot of us have the tendency to neglect to give our teeth the love and attention they deserve?

See, the thing is, not having an elaborate dental care routine locked down can lead to bad breath (do you not want people striking a conversation with you?), tooth decay, gum diseases, or maybe even tooth loss. And well, that’s not a good look for Instagram, is it?

And while people like Beyonce are probably born with a perfect set of ivories, some of us have to work extra hard to make sure that we have a gleaming, camera-ready smile. Make 2019 the year that you actually make your oral health a priority. Here are some handy (or toothy?) tips to incorporate into your day-to-day to achieve whiter and healthier teeth — and it all starts with having a solid toothbrush.

1. Brush at least twice a day with the Aquasonic toothbrush.

See It: Grab the Aquasonic toothbrush originally $190 marked down to 78% off, now just $40!

Brushing is the cornerstone of a megawatt smile. And when it comes to your toothbrush of choice, your chompers don’t deserve a flimsy $5 brush you picked up from the checkout counter of the grocery store. To get your mouth into smiling shape, you need something like the Aquasonic toothbrush, which is capable of removing up to 10 times more plaque than a traditional brush. It features a 40,000 VPN motor that delivers a deeper clean, all while dissolving stains and whitening your teeth simultaneously. With continued use, you can improve your gum health in as little as one week. It also comes with an included travel case and eight portable heads, so you don’t have to settle for the good for nothing brushes supplied by hotel chains.

2. Don’t ditch the fluoride.

While organic toothpaste is all the rage right now, most of them are missing one component that is crucial to dental care: fluoride. The mineral strengthens your enamel, as well as prevents your teeth from accumulating bacterial plaque. A lot of places in the U.S. have fluoridated water supply, but of course, you need a higher concentration for your pearly whites. Better get yourself toothpaste and mouthwash with fluoride as one of their main ingredients to guard your teeth against potential decay.

3. Floss like it’s your job.

Even if you brush, say, four times a day, it’s still not enough to render your mouth completely clean. Remember, oral care is not just about caring for your teeth; it’s about giving your gums some TLC, too. As gum health is just as important as tooth health, you need to get into routine flossing to make sure that there isn’t anything lodged in between your teeth and gums. If you allow your gums to reach an unhealthy state, it’s likely to lead in diseases. An electric toothbrush like the AquaSonic can also help keep your gums healthy — and even has a timer to make sure your brush for the recommended time.

4. Limit acidic drinks.

We hate to break it to you, but your morning java, nightly glasses of wine, and afternoon cups of tea all contribute to teeth erosion. These beverages tend to have high levels of pH, and are therefore severely acidic. We’re not saying that you have to quit them cold turkey, but for the love of your dear chewers, maybe lessen your coffee intake so as not to drastically damage your teeth.

5. Never bail on your dentist.

Stop making a rain check on the semi-annual dates you have with your dentist. Sure, they give you the occasional scolding, but that’s only because they care about you and your oral health (and admit it, it’s usually because you don’t floss often enough). Aside from making your teeth spotless with oral prophylaxis — or in layman’s terms, deep cleaning — these visits also allow your dentist to check and spot any signs of trouble, like swelling, redness, gum disease, or oral cancer. So please, make an effort to see your dentist twice a year at the very least. You’ll thank yourself later. And don’t forget to brush and floss in between to mitigate any scolding.

See It: Grab the Aquasonic toothbrush originally $190 marked down to 78% off, now just $40! Check out more of our picks and deals here!

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