Valentine’s Day is just days away! Everyone knows that chocolate, smooches, I love you’s and romance is what defines this special holiday, as we shower our Valentine with love. Extra emphasis is placed on our mouths as we flash our smile to our Valentine. Is your smile ready for all of that? You may have made your dinner reservations at a fancy restaurant, bought the perfect gift, and may have even chosen that special outfit -but have you thought about your smile? After all, a dazzling smile can make a lasting impression and improve your overall look.
Here are some things you can do to ensure your beautiful smile shines through this Valentine’s Day:
Who can resist the charm of someone with a confident, beautiful smile? When you are with your loved one, you will probably be smiling and grinning throughout the entire evening. Your teeth can make or break your smile! If you need to give your teeth a makeover, there are a couple of things you can do.
For example, if it has been more than 6 months since your last dental appointment, make sure to book an appointment with your dentist. With only a few days until Valentine’s Day, this gives you some time to see your dentist. Your appointment will include a check-up as well as a dental cleaning, which can give your teeth that little bit of extra shine you may be looking for.
With time, teeth often yellow and darken as a result of changes in their mineral structure. As a result, teeth bleaching has become a popular procedure in providing people with a brighter, whiter and more confident smile. There are a couple of options when it comes to teeth bleaching, which include in-office or at-home whitening. Just make sure you consult with a dentist prior to trying a home teeth bleaching kit, as not all discolorations respond well to bleaching treatments.
You have had the most amazing conversation during dinner and have not been able to stop flashing that dazzling smile of yours all evening. After some delicious food, you both lean in for a quick smooch. The last thing you want is for bad breath to interfere during close contact with your Valentine. Yikes! Here are a few tips you can follow to ensure that your breath is minty fresh for your romantic evening.
Did you know that your tongue is not only a huge cause of bad breath, but it can actually tell you a lot about your overall health? In order to ensure you are taking appropriate care of your tongue, you should be making sure you are cleaning it as part of your everyday oral hygiene routine. A tongue scraper and mouthwash are both effective tools in fighting off the bacteria that can cause bad breath.
Chew sugar-free gum or try a breath mint, lozenge or spray to give your breath that extra oomph. These are also easy to carry around with you and can be used whenever necessary. Make sure that whichever you choose, that it is sugar-free. You should be on the lookout for “xylitol”, which is a sugar substitute that bacteria will cling to instead of your teeth. Remember that gum and mints only cover up bad breath, they are not a cure for it! If the problem is a persistent one, make sure you schedule an appointment with your dentist to discuss options.
The weather is still cold outside which means that your lips have a tendency to become dryer, more easily. In order to make sure you have a kissable mouth on this special day, you will want to ensure your lips are silky smooth. Consume lots of water and avoid dehydrating, sugary liquids order in to keep your lips hydrated. Drinking lots of water will also help eliminate bad breath, as it increases your saliva flow, protecting your teeth from sugar, acids and bacteria.
For that perfect pout, exfoliate your lips using a lip scrub. Doing this will exfoliate any dead skin on the surface of your lips, smoothing out their surface. Make a habit of using lip balm, to keep your lips smooth and hydrated and make sure you are applying the balm (especially when heading into the cold) to prevent chapping. Further, try to eliminate any bad habits, such as biting, chewing or picking at your lips. Lastly, don’t forget to pucker up!
At Oakville Place Dental, we are committed to helping you take care of all your dental needs. If you would like to give your smile a makeover this Valentine’s Day, do not hesitate to contact us! We hope your special day is full of love, smiles and kisses!