10 Easy Tips For Maintaining A Confident Smile In The Workplace
Having a confident smile can go a long way in your professional life. It not only makes a good first impression on clients and colleagues, but it also boosts your self-confidence. However, maintaining a pearly white smile can be challenging with all the coffee breaks and late-night deadlines. Here are some easy tips to keep your teeth looking their best and maintain a confident smile in the workplace:
Brush and floss regularly: This one goes without saying, but it's important to brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. This helps remove plaque and prevent tooth decay.
Invest in an electric toothbrush: Nothing against manual toothbrushes, but an electric toothbrush can be more effective at removing plaque than a manual toothbrush, especially in hard-to-reach areas. If you’re looking for good toothbrushes to invest in, I did an electric toothbrush round-up of some see my favorites. Nowadays, I am really into more sustainable and natural options and so I have really taken a liking to Suri toothbrushes. They use recyclable plant-based heads and bristles, and the slim aluminium body is designed to be taken apart and repaired, all while delivering a dentist-approved clean. I have recently started using this toothbrush and love it. If you want to give it a try you can use the code: DRUNORTHODOC for 15% off.
Choose the right toothpaste: Look for a toothpaste that contains fluoride or nano-hydroxyapatite to help prevent cavities, remineralize your enamel and also consider a whitening toothpaste to keep your smile bright. If you’re not sure what nano-hydroxyapatite is, I have written about it here quite a bit. I have broken down the difference between fluoride and nano-hydroxyapatite and have even given my recommendations for toothpastes containing nano-hydroxyapatite.
Recommended Toothpaste
I shared some tips on Instagram on how to spring clean your oral care routine. One of my favorite oral care brands is @boka, which offers all-natural toothpaste and toothbrushes. The dentist in me won’t allow me to not talk about oral care - it's a topic that's near and dear to my heart, and I can't stress enough how crucial it is for your overall health and wellbeing. Boka’s high-quality products make it easy to maintain good oral hygiene, and I highly recommend giving them a try. Plus, as a special offer to my followers, you can use my code: theunorthodoc to get 20% off your purchase. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!
Use mouthwash: Mouthwash can help freshen your breath and kill bacteria that cause bad breath. I recommend using a mouthwash that does not contain alcohol, like the one from Risewell. They have a pH-balancing alcohol-free mouthwash that tastes great and uses essential oils with anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties. It also contains xylitol, which helps combat cavities. Xylitol is technically a “sugar alcohol,” but it does not actually contain any alcohol—nor is it a sugar! Xylitol is a carbohydrate found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, and it inhibits bad bacteria growth. That is the key - to inhibit the bad bacteria that causes bad breath and cavities. When you rinse with an alcohol-based mouthwash, you are essentially sterilizing your mouth and that sometimes this kills both good AND bad bacteria. Unfortunately, the bad bacteria tends to grow back fast and often over-populate your mouth before the good bacteria has time to fight. Using code; UNORTHODOC10 will get you 10% off Risewell products.
Watch what you eat and drink: Limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods and drinks. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help rinse away food particles and bacteria. Bacteria consume sugar from your food and produce waste in the form of acid and volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). The acid creates cavities and the VSCs cause bad breath. Lack of brushing, poor quality foods/high sugar, lack of water, and dry mouth can lead to an over-population of bad bacteria.
Chew sugar-free gum: Chewing gum can stimulate saliva production, which helps neutralize acids in your mouth and prevent tooth decay. I recommend sugar-free gum or gum that contains xylitol. Xylitol inhibits bacterial growth and helps prevent the formation of plaque.
Take breaks from coffee and tea: Coffee and tea can stain your teeth over time, so try to limit your intake or take breaks throughout the day. If you do indulge, use a straw to help minimize contact with your teeth. Also forma a habit of drinking lots of water after coffee or tea intake to get rid of the tannins and sugar.
Wear contrasting colors: If you're self-conscious about your teeth, wearing contrasting colors can help them appear whiter. Avoid wearing white or pale colors next to your face, as they can highlight any discoloration. Darker shades like royal/navy blue, purple, and even black can make the color of your teeth appear whiter. I love a good red! especially lipstick. It makes my teeth appear really white.
Get regular dental checkups: Rue of thumb: visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning to maintain good oral health.
Consider professional teeth whitening: If you're looking for a quick fix, consider professional teeth whitening. Your dentist can provide options for in-office or at-home whitening treatments that are safe and effective.
By following these easy tips, you can maintain a confident smile in the workplace and make a great impression on colleagues and clients. Remember, a healthy and confident smile can go a long way in your professional life!
