Aging Backwards Tuesday Tips #11: Smile - Now You're Lookin' Good

"Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles."

- George Eliot

Have you ever heard someone say, "Her smile lights up the room?" Usually they're talking about the woman to whom everyone is drawn, whether she's considered "beautiful" or not. That's because smiling can have a positive effect on everyone around you. Smiling can change your own attitude, triggering scientifically measurable activity in the left prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain where happiness and positive emotions are registered. And studies have shown that people who are smiling are perceived by others as more attractive, friendly and successful.

There's even a science dedicated to facial expressions called Facial Action Coding System (FACS). Good dental health is essential to a beautiful smile, but studies have shown that proper tooth and gum care is essential to heart health as well.

Aging Backwards Tips for A Healthy Mouth and Teeth

1) The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.

2) Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if the bristles are frayed.

3) Remove plaque and food particles from between teeth and under the gum line by flossing daily. Whether you brush first or floss first makes no difference, as long as you are thorough.

4) Eat a balanced diet.

5) Try tooth whiteners for discoloration, but check with your dentist for expected results because whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellow teeth will probably bleach well, brownish teeth may bleach less well and gray teeth will bleach even less well. Also, whiteners will not work on dental work such as bonding and white fillings.

6) Be aware that certain medications, even common ones such as antihistamines, anti-depressants and pain killers, can have an impact on oral health causing such side effects as dry mouth, gingivitis, soft tissue changes and taste changes, according to the American Academy of Periodontology.

7) For alleviating dry mouth, try chewing sugar-free gum and drinking more fluids. Arm & Hammer, the company that makes baking soda, offers a sugar-free gum called Dental Care that promises to "reduce unsightly plaque up to 25 percent, significantly whiten teeth and freshen breath for three hours."

To find out if you're at risk for gum disease, take this test.

Keeping your teeth and mouth healthy, clean and beautiful will help keep you youthful and Aging Backwards!