Reasons to be Thankful for a Healthy Smile

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we’re all thinking about everything we’re thankful for. When it comes to your dental health, there’s a lot to be thankful for. Here are Stonebrook Family Dental’s top reasons to give thanks for your smile — and how we can help you feel more pleased about your smile if you’re not already. 

The Importance of a Healthy Smile

First, it’s important to take care of your teeth because you deserve to be proud of your smile. And second, because a healthy mouth is key to keeping yourself in tip-top health! Yes, the bacteria that lives in your mouth can enter into your bloodstream and cause serious problems with your heart, kidneys and even brain. So if you want to be your healthiest self, it’s important to follow a good oral hygiene regimen and make regular visits to the dentist.

Reasons to be Thankful for Your Smile

Taking care of your teeth can help prevent cavities and gum disease — but there are more reasons to be thankful, too! Here are a few reasons to be thankful for your smile.

1. Strong teeth! It’s a known fact that our lifestyle is hard on our teeth, but something like braces can help us keep our teeth strong and healthy.
2. A nice white smile is appealing to others, too! A study by the Academy of General Dentistry discovered that 86% of adults believed it was important for people in professional occupations to have a bright, appealing smile that is free of stains or discoloration.
3. There’s a link between oral and overall health. If you have gum disease, it can cause serious problems for your heart. Gum disease is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart attack.
4. Your smile helps you communicate! Studies suggest that the face does not just reveal our emotions, but it also shapes them. We smile because we are happy, and it’s easier to feel happy when you have a beautiful smile.
5. A positive dental experience can improve your overall mood! Don’t forget how important it is to have something positive happen in our day if we want to maintain that positive feeling. While there may be days when you just can’t avoid feeling stressed out or frustrated, you can still make time to visit the dentist. A positive dental experience will boost your mood and leave you feeling good all day long.
6. Pain-free oral health is key for enjoyment in life! If you’re in pain due to an infected tooth or recurring headaches that are related to tooth sensitivity, you’re going to find that daily enjoyment can be harder to come by.
7. You deserve a positive self-image! Your smile goes a long way in giving others the impression of who you are: confident and together, or stressed and overwhelmed? If we want people to think well of us, it’s important that we think well of ourselves.
8. Brushing and flossing help keep your teeth white and bright! You could say that your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, so it’s important to take care of it with regular brushing, flossing and dental cleanings.

Caring for Your Smile

Being thankful for your smile begins with taking care of it properly. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few helpful tips from Colgate:

• Brush and clean between your teeth. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, brush your teeth for two minutes, twice per day. It’s also important to use a cleaner like string floss to help remove plaque and food debris in hard-to-reach places.
• Don’t forget to clean your tongue. Did you know that a white tongue can be a sign of bad breath? Food, bacteria, and other debris can get stuck between the tiny bumps on the tongue, causing a white coating. Gently brush this off with your toothbrush or by using a tongue scraper to eliminate this buildup.
• Stay hydrated. By drinking more water, you could be able to reduce bad breath! Saliva helps keep your mouth clean by washing away any food or bacteria left behind. However, certain medications and medical treatments can result in dry mouth, which can result in bad breath. Drinking water can help keep your mouth hydrated and prevent this from occurring.
• Visit your dentist often. One of the best ways to maintain your dental health is by regularly visiting the dentist. By visiting the dentist twice a year, you can prevent and treat oral issues like cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.

Make an Appointment with Stonebrook Family Dental

Are you thankful for your smile? Begin taking better care of it today with a trip to Stonebrook Family Dental. Proudly serving Aurora, CO and surrounding communities, make an appointment today!