Teeth are a huge part of your smile, but it can be easy to cover them with your lips and pretend they’re not there if you’re not proud of yours. We see celebrities in the media and Influencers on other platforms, and one thing they all seem to have is that Hollywood smile.
However unattainable it may seem, it’s actually possible to achieve a beautiful smile by yourself at home, and there are lots of ways to improve your dental hygiene for the better.
Whitening strips
If you’ve ever looked for an option when it comes to whitening your teeth before, whitening strips are something you’ve probably come across at least a few times. There are so many great things about these treatments, and one of the best parts is that they can be done at home, by yourself.
Even if you’re reluctant to spend precious time on beauty procedures, or if you feel impatient or lazy, these are easy and can be worn while you’re busy with other activities.
Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional White Teeth Whitening Kit 20ct (Target) – $44.99
Crest 3D Whitestrips Sensitive Teeth Whitening Kit, 13 Treatments (Target) – $29.99
Use a teeth whitening kit
As an alternative to teeth whitening strips, a teeth whitening kit uses special chemicals which are designed to whiten your teeth. Most of the time, these are paired with a light device to target the staining more effectively and are known to leave impressive results. Just be careful to read the instructions properly!
CaliWhite Vegan Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light (Amazon) – $45
Smile Direct Club Teeth Whitening Kit with LED Light (Amazon) – $39.98
Adopt an effective routine
Consistency is key when it comes to building any habit and getting strong results, so your dental hygiene routine should be both maintainable and effective. The truth is, you don’t need to spend very long taking care of your teeth every day in order to reap the rewards. It just takes some careful thought.
Consider the type of toothpaste you’re using, and even opt for a whitening one. Follow with a mouthwash and treat flossing, as boring as it can seem, as a crucial stage to your dental care routine. Do it every single day.
RiseWell Alkalizing Balancing Mouthwash (Nordstrom) – $18
GO SMiLE ® Sonic Blue Smart Brush Whitening Kit (Nordstrom) – $89
Glide Oral-B Pro-Health Deep Clean Floss, Mint, Pack of 6 (Amazon) – $15.99
Plackers Micro Mint Dental Floss Picks, 90 Count, Pack of 6 (Amazon) – $14.39
Consider your food
When you were younger, you probably found it annoying when your parents would bother you about eating sweets, because they’ll damage your teeth. Perhaps you even take this approach with your own kids.
Despite the nagging, this is valuable advice, and you should be conscious about how your food and drink consumption affects your teeth.
There’s no need to cut out that delicious sugar all together, or completely avoid the soda you’ve been craving, but thinking about limiting the damage you’re causing to your teeth will keep them healthier and stronger for longer. Plus, you’ll adopt a healthier lifestyle and diet in the meantime.
Try oil pulling
This slightly more novel and uncommon dental treatment is something you may not have heard of, but something you should definitely look into. Essentially, it uses a natural oil such as coconut oil to pull bacteria from the teeth and promote better dental hygiene in general. It’s been around for years, and it’s incredibly easy to do (and wallet-friendly!).
All you have to do is put the oil in your mouth and swish it around using your tongue and cheeks, so it covers the whole mouth, before spitting back out.
Happy Belly Organic Refined Coconut Oil (Amazon) – $6.25
Spectrum Organic Virgin Coconut Oil (Target) – $7.89
There are so many different ways to improve your smile, and there’s no need to feel embarrassed by it any longer. Having a beautiful smile can create a welcoming sense on your face and create a harmonious balance which flatters you in photos and real life alike. Your teeth will be beaming!