One of the first things you notice when you meet someone is their smile. Having attractive teeth is not a matter of simply brushing them once a day. Other than regular dental check-ups, there are a number of things you can do to ensure you are taking the best care of your teeth. Here are some dentist tips to enhancing your smile as well as ensuring you have great oral health.

Scrape your tongue

One of the most overlooked areas in your mouth is the tongue. However, it is pertinent to pay attention to this too as food can adhere to the papillae on the tongue and eventually make its way to the hard to reach places in your teeth. Some people will use mouthwash after their meals to prevent the food particles from getting consolidated onto their teeth. Not only does this reduce the chances of tooth decay, but also regular use of mouthwash will also diminish the amount of plaque that develops on your teeth enamel. Scraping your tongue is another effective method as it also gets rid of these food particles, hence deterring the development of plaque. If plaque is left undeterred, it gradually begins to corrode the enamel of your teeth. The longer it is left to accumulate, the harder it becomes forming a substance known as tartar. Once tartar has formed on your teeth you wold require professional dental services to have it extracted.

Professional teeth cleaning

Once in a while it is advisable to opt for professional teeth cleaning by your local dentist. This process does not simply entail removing any trapped food in between your teeth. It also eliminates any bacteria and plaque that may be trapped in those minuscule spaces. Regular appointments decrease your chances of developing gum disease and tooth decay and the bacteria does not get a chance to breed in those hard to reach places. A decaying tooth may be a headache, but gum disease can be much worse as it can be a gateway to more serious health issues.

Change your diet

The leading cause of tooth decay is sugar that has been left on teeth. This sugar is not only derived from candy though. Starchy foods also have high sugar content and when left on your enamel they combine with the bacteria in your mouth and produce acid that steadily eats away at your teeth. For healthy teeth, it is recommended to switch to a diet rich in vegetables, whole grains and fruit, as these strengthen your teeth.