Your smile is the most beautiful accessory you can wear. A bright and lovely smile can lighten up a room and dazzle people better than expensive clothes and fancy shoes ever could. Many people believe that your smile is the most important of all your physical features, and in a world of selfies and social media, no truer words have been said.

A handful of lucky ones are born with the perfect set of teeth, but most of us have to put more work into achieving that snap-worthy smile of our dreams. Come to think of it, even those who were blessed with already-gorgeous pearly whites still have to take measures to keep their smiles shining brightly.

Thankfully, the perfect smile is never out of reach. Yes, it is not easy – and may take longer for some – but it is entirely doable. With proper dental care, the right habits, and a little help from cosmetic dentistry, you can have that smile you’ve always wanted.

Practice Better Dental Care

Good dental hygiene is essential in making and keeping your smile picture-perfect. To keep your teeth clean, brush them at least two times a day using toothpaste that contains fluoride. Also, floss before you go to bed at night. Flossing dislodges plaque that accumulates in areas your toothbrush can’t reach and prevents gingivitis.

When you brush your teeth, don’t forget to clean your tongue as well. Make use of a tongue cleaner to get rid of the bacterial buildup that causes tooth decay and stinky breath. Finish off with a mouthwash rinse for an extra clean mouth and fresher breath.

Practicing better dental care also means making a habit of seeing your dentist at regular intervals – ideally, every six months. In between your scheduled sessions, keep tabs of any changes you’ve noticed in your mouth, teeth, and overall oral health and be sure take them up with your dentist on your next visit.

Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle

If you really want that beautiful, radiant smile, you have to watch what goes into your mouth. Regular intake of acidic foods and refined carbohydrates, such as cookies and white bread, can lead to teeth discoloration. Alcohol, coffee, and fizzy drinks don’t help your cause either as they do not only stain your teeth but also trigger the formation of cavities.

It’s common knowledge that smoking cigarettes is bad for the health, but guess what? It’s also bad for your teeth. The tar and nicotine in cigarettes cause dark yellow or brown staining that’s very unpleasant to look at. So if you’re a chronic smoker, you should seriously consider cutting back or quitting altogether if you wish to have whiter, cleaner, and better-looking teeth for a perfect smile.

Take It a Step Further with Cosmetic Dentistry

Sometimes, however, even the most meticulous oral hygiene and health-conscious lifestyle fall short in helping you achieve that dazzling smile. This is especially true for those who have less-than-desirable natural teeth, but even those who were born with gorgeous smiles may witness some signs of wear and tear on their teeth as they age. Thankfully, just about any issues you have with the appearance of your teeth can now be addressed with cosmetic dentistry.

Are you dreaming of even pearlier whites? Avail of tooth whitening procedures.

Do you have gapped, crooked, or crowded teeth but hate the discomfort of wearing braces? Invisalign is the answer!

Is your chipped or broken tooth keeping you from flashing a smile? Either veneers or cosmetic bonding is the instant solution!

Missing teeth? Dental implants got you covered.

Cosmetic dentists can fix almost every one of your dental woes. With so many revolutionary advancements in dentistry, you’ll never be embarrassed to smile ever again.

Flash that Confident Smile

The perfect smile won’t be so easy to achieve and will even be harder to keep. The tips above can take you closer to your goal, but you need to put in time, money, and effort if you’re really serious about having that stunning, Hollywood-superstar smile you’ve always dreamed of.

Guest Blogger

Amanda McIntyre, she can be reached at amanda.dentalstudio101@gmail.com