Weekly healthy smile checklist
The power of a smile
Smiling is a simple gesture but with profound impact on health and well-being, so today we decided to present a weekly checklist of healthy smile.
While the American Dental Association (ADA) shows that smiling can reduce stress, boost self-esteem, and even benefit the heart, the Order of Dentists (OMD) recalls that oral health is directly linked to the prevention of diseases such as diabetes or heart problems. That is to say: a healthy smile is much more than aesthetics, it’s health, as this article intends to remind you again.
Contents approached
Habits that build a healthy smile
The daily routine is the basis of everything: brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes, use dental floss daily, toothpick if recommended to drink water regularly and choose foods that stimulate saliva production, such as apple or carrot. Regular consultations every 6 months help prevent complications and ensure peace of mind.
The weekly healthy smile checklist!
To simplify, we put together the essential habits in a handy checklist that you can follow every day:
- Full brushing (2 to 3x/day);
- Use of dental floss (1x/day);
- Dental cleat (if recommended);
- Elixir rinse (preferably at night);
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day;
- Include smile-friendly foods (apple, carrot, cheese, nuts);
- Smile consciously (every day). Health is also emotional!;
- Check-up every 6 months (where applicable);
This checklist is simple, practical and easy to apply, the secret lies in consistency. Every week is good for grooming your smile.
Dental care throughout life
Each life phase brings new challenges and learning that we synthesize the main concepts below:
- Childhood: teaching habits and helping children. Toothbrushing can be done without blisters, as we saw here.
- Adolescence: control the consumption of soft drinks and energy drinks, and also balance aesthetics.
- Adult: prevention is the watchword.
- Maturity: gingival care, dentures prevention or resolution of tooth loss.
Truths and myths to demystify about oral health
Misconceptions still persist: brushing with force does not mean cleaning better, going to the dentist only when there is pain is risky and white teeth are no guarantee of health.
Consider this top 3 of myths that should be debunked about oral health.
- Brush with better clean force ❌
- In fact, it can wear out your nail polish and hurt your gums.
- I only go to the dentist when I have pain ❌
- Prevention avoids more invasive and expensive treatments.
- White teeth mean healthy teeth ❌
- Not always: white teeth can have hidden cavities or gum problems.
As it reinforces the OMD, absence of symptoms is not absence of disease, which is why preventive consultations are essential, periodically.
Diet and lifestyle: direct impact on teeth
Sugars, coffee, soft drinks and above all tobacco are sworn enemies of smile. On the other hand, water, raw vegetables and calcium-rich foods strengthen teeth and gums, helping to maintain a beautiful and resilient smile.
Warns the OMD, that a “diet rich in sugars and difficulty in chewing are primary factors for the accumulation of bacterial plaque (layer of surface dirt located on the teeth and/or accumulated in the gums).
This condition leads to the appearance of diseases such as tooth decay, gum disease and situations of possible infections”.
When to seek help from a dentist?
Signs such as bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, chewing pain or prolonged tenderness are alerts that require professional attention. An early diagnosis can be decisive.
The smile is our calling card and deserves daily care. By investing in a healthy smile you are not only taking care of your image, but also of your health. Keep the checklist in a conspicuous place, share it and make it a wellness commitment.
In the meantime, schedule your routine appointment with our specialist dentists.
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