It takes only 17 muscles in total for a person to smile. Yet, many people shy away from smiling openly for several reasons, including misaligned teeth or yellow molars. Common oral hygiene mistakes and persistent dental problems can make people conscious of their smiles. However, simple changes in food habits, lifestyle, and treatments can help you regain that confident smile without much effort. Here are five tips to bring a difference to your smile.

Using clear aligners
Misaligned or crooked teeth can make a person extremely conscious about their smile. Moreover, not everybody is comfortable wearing braces to correct crooked teeth. Clear aligners like Invisalign are a pain-free option for children and adults who require teeth correction. These flexible molds are customized for the upper and lower teeth, effectively aligning teeth to restore that beautiful pearly white smile. Clear aligners are expensive, with kits starting at $1,200 and going upwards of even $10,000 for the complete set. However, many dental clinics offer easy installment options to help pay for the procedure. Some insurance policies also cover part of this cost, depending on the authorized extent.

Quick and simple home remedies
Simple hygienic teeth cleansing habits can help flaunt a beautiful and confident smile. Coconut oil pulling is a simple method where one can swish coconut oil to scrub and rinse off bacteria that trigger the yellowing of teeth. Flossing after brushing also helps remove plaque and leftover food residue, lowering the risk of bacterial infections that cause teeth yellowing. Even homemade baking soda paste is a mild abrasive to scrub off dirt and debris from the teeth. Also, eating more fibrous foods and chewing them thoroughly helps rub away surface plaque and yellowing to keep the teeth clean.

Using a softer toothbrush
Excessive brushing and a hard-bristled toothbrush can erode the teeth’ protective layer, making the molars vulnerable to infections. Dentists suggest using a soft-bristled toothbrush and switching to circular brushing to promote effective enamel cleaning. Consider using a mild antibacterial formula toothpaste to boost oral hygiene and prevent plaque, cavities, or gum problems.

Foods and beverages to avoid
Daily intake of foods and beverages laced with artificial coloring, flavoring, refined sugars, and preservatives can cause the protective layer of the enamel to erode. Sticky toffee, hard candies, processed chips, fried foods, flavored sodas, fruit juices, and even ice pops should be avoided or taken in moderate amounts. These foods add no nutritional value and only increase the risk of cavities or gum infections.

Make regular dental appointments
Make a habit of visiting the dentist regularly. There are several underlying dental complications that develop, leaving no trace until the condition weakens the gums and molars. It is not always a good idea to wait till the pain becomes unbearable or, even worse, necessitates surgical intervention. Remember, preventive care can help overcome complications triggered by poor oral hygiene. The dentist will be better positioned to evaluate and suggest changes to daily meal plans and lifestyle modifications to support oral health.

These are a few general nutrition and lifestyle changes dentists usually advise to improve oral health. The results will vary depending on the effectiveness of the treatment.