“Laughter is bodily exercise precious to health,” said Aristotle. Experts agree. In fact, according to The British Dental Health Foundation, one genuine smile can give the same level of stimulation as eating 2,000 chocolate bars! So while magazines stop at body makeovers, why not give the most winning feature of your face -- your smile -- some special treatment? Read on for the ultimate makeover that’ll boost your confidence, your beauty and your health:
1.
Give your lips a natural shine.
The best way
to get shiny-smooth lips is the natural way: Avoid licking them so you
don’t
dry them out, says Emma Dobson from the Dermal
Institute. A few extra tips:
“Protect your lips every day with a balm containing sunblock
and avoid picking,” adds Dobson. If you’re a fan of
matte lipsticks, alternate them with more hydrating formulations. And
finally: Breathing through your nose instead of your mouth is another
great
way to keep dry lips at bay.
2.
Follow three rules for healthy teeth.
Flossing, avoiding fruit teas (and other acidic drinks) and eating
cranberries are the three top tips for beautiful teeth from the
Cambridge’s Devonshire House Dental in the U.K. A recent study
at the University of Bristol Dental School, U.K., found that the acid
in fruit teas can be three times more damaging than orange juice. And
new research shows that cranberries contain a compound that stops
bacteria from clinging to teeth.
3.
Love your gum(s).
Surprise:
Chewing gum not only tastes good, it also reduces stress, improves
memory and protects your teeth and gums by increasing saliva flow (which
prevents decay). In addition, don’t just brush your teeth
each day -- brush your gums as well, and be sure you’re
brushing both teeth and gums as often as dentists recommend: at least
twice a day, for two minutes each time. Gum disease has been linked to
heart disease, but with proper oral care, you don’t have to
worry about either. Now that’s something to smile
about.
