Our smile is one of the most noticeable things in our appearance. A smiling person spreads friendliness and good mood. The way you take care (or don’t) of your teeth can make you look younger or older. In this article, we gathered a few tips on how to get rid of the three most common dental issues like discolored teeth, receding gums, and crooked teeth.

1. Discolored teeth

The outer layer of tooth enamel thins with age and shows the yellowish dentine. This is a normal condition but some factors can aggravate the situation. If you are a smoker and prefer food and drinks that tend to stain your teeth, their discoloration will develop faster and stronger. 

But grey teeth have a different cause. Antibiotic tetracycline boosts calcium levels in your enamel making it appear darker. If you took this medication when you were a teen ar earlier, your teeth may be gray and continue to darken with age.

If your teeth are a bit yellowish, it is recommended to use tooth whitening kits. But these kits may cause tooth pain and soreness, so it is better to take some painkillers before the procedure. To stay on the safe side, it is better to avoid strips that work for 30 minutes or more and don’t use any whitening kits more than twice a year because more frequent use can make your teeth translucent. 

You can also use whitening toothpaste with fluoride to maintain the results. But if your teeth are too dark or yellow, it is better to make an appointment with your dentist and get veneers or even dental implants Brooklyn when the condition of your teeth is too poor. 

2. Receding gums

While the thickness of gum is a genetic thing, gingivitis (gum disease) is your own acquisition. Years of plaque accumulation and forceful brushing erase your gum line and this leads to the unhealthy condition of your gum tissue. In addition, the flow of saliva that helps flush out plaque-causing bacteria reduces with age.

The solution is very simple, maintain proper oral hygiene. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush (stiff bristles can injure sensitive gums) using gentle massaging movements. Divide your mouth into four areas, top right, top left, bottom right, and bottom left and brush each area for at least 30 seconds. And you shouldn’t neglect to floss because it helps to remove food particles, plague and exposes teeth and gums to oxygen. You can also use a floss pick, it is very comfortable to use and you can always take it with you.

3. Crooked teeth

It looks like teeth have a memory. Otherwise, it is impossible to explain the fact that they try to return to their original positions as soon as you take off your braces. But you shouldn’t think that you are out of danger if your teeth are straight. Tooth fillings and crowns can lead to crowding, grinding and gnawing tend to wear your teeth out and form gaps. And if you get a gap, your teeth will shift or move in order to close the space.

If you are not fond of the thought that you always should wear a mouth guard or retainer to maintain straight teeth, you can’t prevent crooked teeth. The only thing you can do is to maintain proper oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing are able to prevent tooth decay and you will visit your dentist more rarely. But when your teeth are already shifted and crooked, you can ask your dentist about Invisalign (transparent aligners that should be worn for 22 hours a day) or braces. 

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