Teeth Tips

Are you embarrassed by your teeth? Are you reluctant to smile for photos? According to BACD four out of five Britons as so embarrassed about their teeth they don’t smile for photographs.

I was at the dentist for a check up this week (am glad to report that I needed no work done other than a visit to the hygienist.) My dentist, Jon Shore asked me about teeth whitening, as I had made an enquiry at my previous appointment.

If I were to go down a route to improve the colour of my teeth, I certainly would have no hesitation in having the work carried out by Jon – he’s an excellent dentist. However, I have decided to follow a more natural approach first of all -“The White Smile Diet”. It has been devised by BACD – an organisation which promotes cosmetic dentistry in an ethical and educational fashion. Check out www.bacd.com for the full report.

Here are some simple ideas to brighten up your smile...my seven smile secrets...

1. Eat more raw vegetables – they help to remove surface stains on your teeth
2. Strawberries naturally whiten your teeth – and they give an attractive pink tint to the lips
3. To avoid staining and reduce your intake of red wine, coffee, soft drinks with strong colouring such as cola and sadly blueberries too - of these quickly stain the teeth
4. Sip through a straw – this reduces the contact with your teeth
5. Sugar free chewing gum can help stimulate saliva, which naturally cleans the surface your teeth
6. Baking powder can help to remove the build up of stains. It is recommended that twice a month you brush baking powder on your teeth as you would toothpaste and then rinse.
7. Don’t smoke – it stains your teeth - and in the long term will damage your gums

I would add a further tip:

Wear lipstick or lip gloss or balm. All of these products will enhance your smile and make you feel much better about yourself into the bargain. If you suffer from dry or cracked lips then first use a lip polish and follow with a nourishing quality lip balm - apply several times a day.

And have the confidence to smile it makes you and everyone around feel so much better! Go on….find someone to smile at now….even throw in a wink …and a laugh ...or chuckle… and let me know the results!

I’ve just smiled at my computer…and you know…I think he likes me!