The tooth will set you free

MANILA, Philippines - They say that the best and most practical way to improve anyone’s appearance is by having a million-dollar smile. However, flashing a smile can prove to be quite a task for some of us, especially for those who are mortified even with just the thought of showing their teeth to the public.

Put an end to the horror of public humiliation. Follow these simple and practical steps to a better smile and a better looking you this 2012.

1. Brush your teeth regularly. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why this is an important part to getting whiter teeth. Brushing is the cornerstone of dental hygiene and removes food particles that bacteria feed on. It also cleans teeth and freshens breath.

2. Floss daily. Flossing removes the bacteria from in between your teeth that regular brushing doesn’t reach. Dr. Steve Mark Gan, president and CEO of Metro Dental, recommends you floss twice a day, but if you only have time to do it once daily, be sure to floss before bedtime. You produce less saliva when you sleep, which leaves teeth and gums particularly vulnerable to bacteria.

3. Watch what you eat. Be sure to include loads of dairy and other calcium-rich foods, such as sardines and kale, as well as vitamin C-rich foods in your diet. Calcium helps maintain strong bones and teeth while vitamin C boosts gum health. But it’s not just what you eat that’s important to oral health. You also need to know the things you should avoid like sugary and sticky foods that stick to the crevices of your teeth. Bacteria feed off sugars and release acids that cause cavities, this is why it’s very important that you brush your teeth or gargle with water after having some.

4. Stop smoking. According to Dr. Gan, “People who smoke are four times more likely to acquire gum diseases than nonsmokers. Not only that, smoking causes stains and contributes to bad breath or halitosis. On a larger scale, smoking also increases a person’s risk for oral cancers, including lip, tongue, cheeks, and gums.” 

5. Go for cosmetic dentistry. Studies show that crooked, stained, or missing teeth definitely affect a person’s confidence. Great advances in cosmetic dentistry over the past decade make it possible to fix most aesthetic problems. Veneers for improving the appearance of crooked, stained, or oddly shaped teeth and orthodontics for straightening teeth are only two of the many cosmetic procedures offered by most clinics today.

Metro Dental is home to dental technologies that redefine oral healthcare in the Philippines including digital dental X-rays (periapical and panoramic), Elexxion laser, plasma arc blue light, air polishing machine, intraoral cameras, ultrasonic scaler, state-of-the-art dental chairs, to name a few.

For more information about Metro Dental, call (02)MDENTAL (633-6825); log on to www.metrodental.com.ph to view complete list of branches.