4 Simple Steps to a Healthy Smile

Sharon Liao

4 Simple Steps to a Healthy Smile

As a health writer, I know exactly what it takes to stay in tip-top shape. The problem is, like most women, my busy schedule often gets in the way of my best intentions.

That's why I've pared my oral health routine down to only the easiest and most effective moves.

These four simple steps are guaranteed to get you smiling for life -- without taking extra time out of your schedule.

1. Pick the right brush

Although a standard toothbrush gets the job done, a power version can make your life a whole lot easier. According to research done by the Cochrane Collaboration, oscillating brushes -- those that move in one direction, and then the other -- remove 11 percent more plaque than the plain kind. Versions with built-in timers also help remind you to scrub up for the entire recommended two minutes. Pair it with a toothpaste flavor you love, or one with whitening ingredients for a brighter smile.

2. Make friends with floss.

Only 10 percent of Americans floss regularly, paving the way for gum disease, according to the American Dental Association. Confession: I used to be one of them, until I made a habit of cleaning between my teeth while watching the local weather report. Try incorporating flossing into your morning routine and choose a variety -- whether it's mint-flavored or a pick style -- that you're more likely to use.

3. Chew after meals

Can't get to a sink after a meal? Pop in a stick of sugarless gum. It won't just freshen your breath; research also shows that chewing for 20 minutes after a meal can fend off tooth decay and cavities. That's because the extra saliva neutralizes the acid that can linger on -- and damage -- your teeth after eating. If you don't have gum, rinse out your mouth with water.

4. Don't shirk the dentist

It's tempting to pass on those annual checkups and twice-a-year cleanings, but seeing your dentist regularly can help you catch minor problems in their earliest -- and most treatable -- stages. Going in for that visit now may prevent you from having to get a root canal next year.

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/Yuri_Arcurs

Sharon Liao is an award-winning health editor and writer who has been on staff at Prevention, Fitness, and Reader's Digest magazines. She has contributed to Seventeen and Weight Watchers Magazine, as well as The Intellectual Devotional: Health.

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