A whiter brighter smile is on the top of many people’s wish lists. While that’s a good thing, don’t forget to focus on having a healthy smile above anything. Here’s how to get a white and healthy smile.

Whiter teeth are our most-wanted

According to research carried out by the Oral Health Foundation and Philips Sonicare, almost one in three British people want whiter teeth. The worrying thing is that many people who were surveyed prioritised that over having healthy teeth and gums.

You can have a white and healthy smile

Having gleaming white teeth doesn’t mean your smile is healthy. Behind the whitening treatments, you can still have tooth decay and gum disease. Try to cover these up with tooth whitening and you could be increasing your risk of health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. The key to good oral health is focusing on having a healthy mouth first.

Steps to Better Oral Health

So how can you achieve a white and healthy smile? The good news is that it’s easy, and there’s plenty you can do at home between visits to the dentist.

• Brush teeth twice per day for at least two minutes. Use a good fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss daily and use a tooth cleaner regularly to get to those hard to reach places and remove plaque.
• Use mouthwash every day.
• Chew sugar free gum after meals and snacks.
• Limit sugar consumption. If you do eat sugar, stick to mealtimes when it will cause less damage.
• Visit your dentist at least every six months.
• Invest in a teeth whitening pen to remove any stubborn stains and enjoy a brighter smile.

A beautiful smile is a healthy smile

This is a basic routine for good oral health. Yes it’s all good having sparkly white teeth, but a truly beautiful smile is a healthy one.

For more articles on oral health and the products you need for a bright and healthy smile, check out the rest of our blog.