gum-health-300x200Most of us have been advised from an early age to take care of our teeth. We should be brushing and flossing twice a day, at least, and we should be watching what we eat. No matter what you do, though, you will find that there are challenges to maintaining a bright white smile.

If you don’t have a smile that you’re proud of, if you have a tendency to hide your smile, then you could be looking for a way to improve its luster and that might include adding veneers.

Veneers are thin coatings that go over your existing teeth to make them appear much whiter than they are. Many celebrities actually use veneers and their fans believe that they have naturally white teeth.

For the rest of us in the real world, veneers are not the ideal solution to getting a bright, white, confident smile. Proper dental care is.

Visit your dentist.

The first step is to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. Even if you haven’t been to the dentist in many years, it’s never too late. Regardless of whether you have severely stained or chipped teeth, or missing a tooth or two, or have cavities, the longer you delay going to the dentist, the harder it’s going to be for you to get your oral health back in good standing.

Brush and floss daily.

Yes, the age old wisdom still holds true. There is simply no substitute for brushing and flossing at least twice every day. The more you do it, the healthier and better your mouth is going to feel.

Avoid unhealthy habits and food.

If you smoke and you want a white smile, quit. Smoking, drinking coffee, and consuming soda are some of the worst things we can do to our teeth. Quit these habits and you’ll begin to see your teeth take on a new, healthier shine.

You have the power to achieve the kind of white smile you want, if you’re willing to make the effort. Veneers will only mask these problems stirring under the surface.