We think everyone deserves a more beautiful smile, but maybe not for the reasons you may think. Smiles don’t just have vanity appeal. Smiles can make a big impact on our confidence and interactions with others, which has downstream effects on things such as job satisfaction, relationships, and other essential parts of a healthy, happy life.
Some people require significant dental treatments to restore their smiles to their original beauty. Other patients need to simply maintain their current state of health to keep a beautiful smile intact. Whether you got your smile through a series of advanced procedures or by consistently practicing good oral hygiene over many years, there are eight steps you can take to ensure that your smile stays beautiful for a long time.
Part Seven: Perform Regular Self Examinations
While it’s also incredibly important to visit the dentist for routine cleanings every six months or so (see part eight), you can perform self-examinations at home, too. The benefit of performing self-examinations is that you can do them much more frequently than you visit the dentist, and they’re also free! We recommend taking a look around your mouth every week or so. When you perform a self-examination, be on the lookout for the following causes for concern:
– Swollen gums
– Discolored teeth
– Sores or spots on your tongue, cheeks, or gums
– Chipped teeth
Tobacco users are particularly at risk for dental health problems, so if you use tobacco products (smokeless or not) you should be even more vigilant during your self-examinations.
If you have any questions about your dental health or if you would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact our team or make an appointment. Our incredible staff will give you the best dental care possible.