7 Tips for a Healthy Smile and Home Remedies

Did you know that nearly 90% of adults ages 20 to 64 have had tooth decay? That figure, from the NIDCR, shows how common cavities are. Neglecting your teeth is easy, but daily habits make a big difference. Here are some tips for a healthy smile.

Balanced Diet

In many cases, the health of your smile depends on the food you eat. Sugary drinks and foods high in sugars and starches feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Eat nutritious, balanced meals and limit snacking between meals. Choose water over soda or juice, and save sweets for mealtimes.

Dental Checkups

When you visit your dentist, you'll usually get a professional cleaning that is more thorough than anything you can do at home. Regular checkups also catch problems early.

Even though you can find home teeth whitening kits, we still recommend letting a dentist take a look and tell you if something is wrong before you whiten.

Heavier Improvements

Regular cleaning and checkups are one thing; treatment for existing problems is another, and just as important. Your dentist will tell you which treatments you need, from fillings to root canals.

For children, ask your dentist about sealants on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, which help prevent decay. Treating problems early helps you avoid painful infections.

Flossing and Brushing

Avoiding decay, gum disease and bad breath is key to a healthy smile, and brushing and flossing are the foundation.

The NIDCR recommends brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps prevent decay and can even stop early decay from getting worse.

Brushing isn't enough on its own, though: you should also clean between your teeth every day with floss or another interdental cleaner.

If you skip it, plaque and food build up along the gum line, which can lead to gum disease and decay. Replace your toothbrush when the bristles become worn.

Learn About Food

Eating healthy foods and limiting processed snacks helps you keep a healthy smile. It also helps to know which foods and drinks are hardest on your teeth.

Sticky, sugary foods cling to teeth and raise the risk of cavities. Coffee, tea, soda and red wine can also stain teeth over time.

Smoking and other tobacco use are major culprits. Tobacco stains teeth, and the NIDCR advises avoiding all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco, to help prevent decay.

Home Remedies

Besides good food choices and regular cleaning, some people try home remedies to brighten their teeth. Baking soda is a mild abrasive found in some toothpastes and may help remove surface stains, but it is not a substitute for fluoride toothpaste. Learn more about teeth whitening.

Be careful with activated charcoal. A 2024 lab study found that charcoal toothpaste and powder did not change tooth color and roughened the enamel surface. The authors note there is insufficient evidence that charcoal whitens teeth.

Cosmetic Dental Treatments

If you've done everything you can and still aren't happy with the color of your teeth, a dentist can offer cosmetic treatments.

Professional teeth whitening is the most common example. If your teeth are not properly aligned, ask about braces or clear aligners. A dentist can explain the options and which are safe for your teeth.

We hope this guide was useful and that you learned something new today. Keep brushing, keep flossing and keep smiling!