Your smile is one of the first things other people notice about you. If your smile wasn’t what you wanted it to be in 2019, we want to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile in 2020. This year, we hope you take more selfies than ever and accomplish remarkable things because of the confidence your smile brings. (Yes, a beautiful smile can have that much of an impact!)

Check out these three tips for achieving a more radiant smile this year.

1.    Create an effective oral hygiene routine.

Besides brushing your teeth in the morning and evening, how else do you care for your teeth? If you answered “nothing,” we’ve got some pointers.

Brushing regularly (and properly) is extremely important, but it’s not the only thing you should be doing at home to care for your teeth. Be sure to (1) floss every evening and (2) use an antibacterial, ADA-approved mouthwash at least once a day.

Incorporating these extra steps into your daily oral hygiene routine will strengthen your enamel and help fight bad bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease.

2.    Eat a healthy diet.

As the new year begins, many of us are resolving to eat healthier for the sake of our bodies, but what about our mouths? Eliminating desserts and sodas from your diet will undeniably have a positive impact on your oral health, but when consumed too often, even healthy foods or snacks like oranges, bananas, tomatoes, wheat bread, and dried fruit can damage your teeth.

To learn more about foods and drink that harm your teeth, check out this blog.

Support the health of your teeth and gums by including these foods in your daily meals:

• Cheese
• Yogurt
• Milk
• Broccoli
• Celery
• Spinach
• Apples
• Green tea
• Sugarless gum
• Water

Both your mouth and body will thank you for making healthy food choices!

3.    Visit the dentist regularly.

Most dentists recommend attending regular dental cleanings at least once every six months. During these visits, the dentist will examine your mouth for any signs of damage or disease and the hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth.

You may be thinking: I already improved my oral hygiene routine and changed my eating habits, why waste time at the dentist? Well, because dental professionals can see things that you can’t. During a dental cleaning, the hygienist will be able to reach areas of your mouth that you can’t. Cleaning those hard-to-reach areas helps prevent bad breath, cavities, and several other oral health problems.

We will also look for any signs of gum disease (which men and women are susceptible to for many reasons) and oral cancer. Its much better to catch oral health problems during the early, less noticeable stages because treatment will cost less and be more effective, in many cases.

The point? Visit the dentist regularly to ensure your mouth is as healthy as you think it is.

4.    Ask about cosmetic dentistry.   

Did you know, the dentist can do more than just repair your teeth? If you’re looking to improve the appearance of your smile in the new year, ask about cosmetic dentistry.

Crooked, gapped, chipped, stained, and missing teeth can all be corrected with one or more of these cosmetic dental solutions:

• Porcelain veneers
• Dental bonding
• Gum contouring
• Teeth whitening
• Orthodontics
• Snap-on-Smile®

Some dentists even offer Botox® Cosmetic and Restylane® (facial injections and dermal fillers) to give patients a younger-looking appearance.

If you need more than one cosmetic dentistry treatment, the dentist can design a smile makeover plan.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Kick off the new year with a regular dental cleaning and exam to give your smile a fresh start. While visiting us, ask about cosmetic options so that you can begin your journey towards a more beautiful smile.

Contact our team today at 404-328-7177 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Abbey J. Lee.