It is often said that if you smile, the world smiles right back. This holiday season, perhaps the most important thing you can wear is your smile. Here points out the dos and don’ts of keeping your smile at its sparkling best and dazzle everyone at the party.
Brush and floss daily: Everyone knows that we need to brush our teeth twice and floss daily, but you’d be surprised at the number of people who don’t follow this advice regularly. While brushing, don’t forget to scrape your tongue to remove any food residue stuck in its folds or taste buds.
For people with braces, crown bridges, diastema (space between their teeth) or periodontally compromised teeth (excessive gap between gums & teeth) should utilise special interdental toothbrushes, which are specially designed for these conditions.
Snack right: While healthy foods help you avoid unwanted weight, they are also beneficial in maintaining oral hygiene. Munching on a stick of celery, carrot, or an apple cleans sticky food off your teeth. Chewing on parsley and mint leaves acts as a deodorizer. It increases the flow of saliva in your mouth, washing away bacteria that cause bad breath.
Don’t drink: Drinks are an inseparable part of any party, especially in the North. You should, however, avoid aerated drinks (diet included), black tea or coffee, and red wine, as these cause teeth stains. Drink water instead – it doesn’t stain; it rinses away any food stuck in your mouth and also keeps you well hydrated.
Fluoride Mouthwash: Mouthwash with high alcohol content can actually worsen bad breath. Instead, choose to rinse your mouth with a few drops of peppermint oil mixed in water. Chewing on sugarless candy/gum causes salivation, which washes bad bacteria away.
By Dr. Rashika Vijan
(Writer has been practising dentistry since the past decade. She is also known as the dentist of choice for celebrities like Vivek Oberoi, Ashish Choudhary and Upen Patel to name a few. She also practises Paediatric Dentistry at her dental clinic, Dr. Rashika Vijan’s Dental Studio in Bandra. )
