Smile in LA – Little Known Secrets for a Celebrity Smile

Simple habit modification and diet can lead you to a brighter and better smile. According to Dr. Louie, your Los Angeles dentist, and the American Dental Association (ADA) , below are three tips to gain confidence when making that picture perfect smile of yours.

1. Lower the frequency of eating food that is high in sugar.

Did you know that many foods other than candy promote tooth decay? Bacteria feed on the sugar of candy creating cavity causing acid. Bacteria, however, not only use candy to create acid but can also use any food which contains sugars and other carbohydrates. This includes chocolates, fruits, chips, peanut butter and other foods.

What can you do to protect yourself? Well brushing after meals helps by removing both the bacteria and the left over food particles which the bacteria feast on. If you cannot brush, try washing food down with liquids ensuring that less food remains on teeth. Chewing sugarless gum also helps because this stimulates saliva flow. Saliva acts as a natural plaque fighting substance and fights bad breath.

2. Try to brush your teeth gently.

Nearly two out of three people damage their own teeth by brushing too hard. It takes very little pressure to remove bacteria, food, and plaque. Unfortunately, most people apply three to four times the necessary brushing pressure causing damage to teeth and gums. This damage includes: receding gums, sensitive teeth, notched teeth, and root cavities.

3. Too much coffee.

Coffee is one of the most dangerous threats to your smile. Coffee stains teeth destroying your naturally white smile. Worst yet, because most people sip coffee throughout the day, bacteria are provided with a constant source of sugar from which to produce cavity causing acid.

In addition, coffee can cause small fractures in teeth called crazes. These occur when the teeth are forced to expand and contract as a result of being exposed to hot foods or liquids. These hot and cold cycles occur when we drink hot coffee. Over a prolonged period of time, this will create crazes in the teeth.