The best way to ensure a radiant smile? Good overall health, says Gerald Curatola, D.D.S., a New York-based dentist. Dr. Curatola says research shows a correlation between a healthy mouth and a healthy body. He recommends that in addition to following an at-home dental hygiene regime, you learn to practice good nutrition and stress management-beauty from the inside out.
Which Foods?
Curatola recommends following a diet that includes lots of leafy greens and whole grains. Eliminate refined sugar (that means no white bread or white sugar), which promotes gum disease. Be sure to eat foods that are high in antioxidants, like spinach and kale, berries and pomegranates, which help the body fight disease. You should also avoid foods that tend to have an inflammatory effect on body tissue, such as luncheon meats and hot dogs and even dairy products, if possible.
Tooth-Cleaning Tips
Since most people tend to spend less than two minutes at a time brushing their teeth, they don't reach the harmful, sticky plaque that develops on the teeth and in hard-to-reach areas in the mouth. An electric toothbrush can help with this, Dr. Curatola says, but try one that comes equipped with a two-minute timer so that you do the best job possible. As for teeth whitening, Dr. Curatola cautions against overusing over-the-counter products in order to get fast results. Be sure to follow the instructions on the box carefully or opt to have your dentist do the procedure in his office.
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