Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and it’s always a great time to show our appreciation for the ones we love.

What began as a purely romantic holiday has grown to encompass friendships, family relationships, even classmates and co-workers. As you’re out buying Valentines cards and boxes of chocolate, don’t forget to take care of the one you may overlook most often: yourself.

Self-care plays a critical role in your own mental and physical health as well as your confidence, success, and even personal relationships. And one very simple way you can exercise some self-care is to take care of your smile. 

Make the most of your smile

When you feel confident, proud of, and love your smile, you’re more eager to show it off and share your happiness with those around you. If you’re not there yet, be patient. You can learn to love your smile – and start working toward a smile that you love – with these steps.

1. Start with a healthy routine.

Make sure you brush at least twice a day, for two minutes, or after big meals. Floss at least once daily or whenever you feel you might have something stuck. Rinse with a minty mouthwash for a fresh kick afterward.

Most importantly, incorporate things into your routine that make you enjoy caring for your smile. Switch up your toothpaste flavor. Invest in a powered toothbrush or a water flossing system. Start using a tongue scraper before brushing. The more excited you get about caring for your smile, the more confident you’ll feel knowing you have clean teeth and fresh breath.

2. Manage your expectations.

Comparing your smile to social media influencers, actors, or models may be unrealistic. Chances are, you’re looking at images that have been enhanced or edited. Or the smile itself may have been altered with dental enhancements including whitening, prosthetics, or even veneers. Think about how much you’re willing to go for the “ideal” smile, then talk to your dentist about what might be required to achieve it. 

3. Start with a whiter, brighter smile.

If you decide that your natural teeth need a little boost to achieve the smile you want, you may be surprised at the transformation you'll see with simply whitening your teeth. It doesn’t just make teeth look whiter, it also makes your entire smile look brighter and more open. Keep in mind that professional teeth whitening is the preferred choice over DIY attempts, which could harm your tooth enamel or cause sensitivity issues.

4. Consider cosmetic and restorative care options .

If your smile is showing some wear and tear or you’ve decided you’re ready for a complete smile makeover, your dentist can help by replacing missing teeth, crowing individually damaged or worn teeth or replacing silver fillings with a tooth-colored resin. For the ultimate total smile makeover, porcelain veneers can give your smile a whole new look.

5. Give braces a look.

If you think you’ve missed your chance for straight teeth because you didn’t have braces as a teen, it’s time to give braces another look. In addition to traditional braces, orthodontists now take full advantage of other options like Invisalign for adults and self-conscious teens. With a treatment plan that’s managed by a professional orthodontist – rather than an online alternative – you may find that you can achieve your straighter smile even more quickly than you ever imagined.

Keep smiling 

No matter where you are with your current smile confidence, keep sharing your smile to show and share your joy, happiness and excitement. Resist the temptation to hide your smile, and schedule time today to start working toward a smile you’ll love. Our dedicated team at Ortho South – including Dr. Boggan and Dr. Syed – is happy to work with you to achieve the healthy, confident smile you want. 

If you're in the Pelham, Helena, Alabaster, Calera, and Oak Mountain areas and want to look into braces, Invisalign and other treatment options to improve your smile, talk to the team at Ortho South about scheduling a consultation. We can quickly evaluate your current situation, share your options for the next steps, and recommend possible treatment so you can start planning a healthy, beautiful smile.