July 3 is Compliment Your Mirror Day, a holiday that most people probably don’t know about. It’s a day for people to practice self-acceptance and self-esteem by speaking directly to their reflection and reminding themselves of their own self-worth!
Looking in the mirror can be difficult for many people: About 64 percent of people say they’re not happy with the way that they look. And while practicing self-acceptance is important, it’s also important to take care of yourself.
One of the top things that many people feel uncomfortable about is their smile. Crooked teeth and enamel stains may have you feeling self-conscious.
The good news is, there are options for you to correct the way your teeth look. Many people report an increase in their self-esteem after simply just having their teeth whitened. There are also many additional benefits to whitening:
1. Improved Oral Health
One indirect result of having your teeth whitened is improved oral hygiene. Many people tend to take better care of their teeth and mouth after their whitening treatments. This means that you won’t just feel and look better; you’ll also avoid cavities and damage to your enamel as well as gum disease. Additionally, you’ll cut back on your risk of diseases like periodontitis and oral cancer.
2. Easy Maintenance
Believe it or not, it’s actually very easy to keep your teeth looking great once you undergo whitening treatments. After your initial treatment, you can “refresh” your whitening job at home with homecare whitening kits. These usually take about 30 minutes once every few weeks.
In addition to regular “touch-ups” you can make a habit of using whitening toothpaste and mouthwash. Whitening toothpaste usually uses baking soda to gently remove food and drink stains from your enamel.
Another easy way to keep your teeth looking clean and white is to curb your intake of food and drink that stains enamel, such as coffee, tea, and red wine. You can have these in moderation, but the more you have, the more you risk staining your pearly whites. Tobacco products can also stain your teeth as well as increase your risk of oral cancer, so they’re better avoided.
3. A Better Look Without Damage
Whitening teeth through a chemical tooth whitening process is much less damaging than other treatments intended to brighten your smile, such as veneers. Putting veneers on requires your dentist to “etch” your teeth first to allow the veneers to properly bond to your tooth. This means that you lose tooth structure. Chemical whitening, on the other hand, is a simple way to remove surface stains from enamel without destroying the structure of your teeth, which can cause pain and deterioration.
What’s more, studies have shown that brighter, whiter smiles are one of the best ways to appear more youthful. So, if you’re concerned about showing your age, before you get cosmetic surgery or spend a bundle on anti-aging serums, consider whitening your teeth.
And above all, remember to be kind to yourself on Compliment Your Mirror Day!