How important is a good smile in your life? Very important, according to a recent study that followed a group of women for 30 years. According to the study, the women who exhibited the most sincere smiles went on to live happier more successful lives. Here are some tips to help you brighten your smile.

Whiten Your Teeth

Of course one of the first things that comes to mind when thinking of a bright smile is white teeth. There are several cheap and gentle ways to whiten your teeth at home. One of the most popular ways are using a paste consisting of baking soda and lemon juice. Simply mix the baking soda and a bit of lemon juice and apply to your teeth with a toothbrush. After leaving the mixture on for about a minute, you can rinse the paste away to reveal a whiter smile.

Floss Often

A bright smile is a clean smile. Some people skip flossing and just brush their teeth, which is a mistake. Flossing can clean up your teeth making for a more pristine smile. Also, it keeps your gums healthy, which keeps your teeth healthy.

Exfoliate Your Lips

Healthy lips translate to a more beautiful smile. One good way to obtain healthier lips is to exfoliate them. You can do this by applying a mixture of sugar and honey to your lips and rubbing the mixture on your lips in small circles. Complete the procedure by wiping the mixture away with a soft cloth and applying some lip balm. Exfoliating your lips has been shown to trigger collagen production which can help slow down the aging process and keep your lips fuller. 

Lipstick

A vibrant shade of lipstick can do wonders for accentuating your smile. A darker shade can help contrast against the whiteness of your teeth making them appear even brighter. If you choose a pink or red lipstick with blue undertones you can help conceal any yellowness on your teeth, making them appear even whiter.

Practice Your Smile

You can help enhance your smile by naturally making it better through exercise and practice. There are several face exercises you can do to strengthen the muscles in your face and help keep wrinkles at bay. Also, saying or mentally saying, the word cheese (or any word with a long 'e' sound) can produce a more naturally pretty smile.

For cosmetic procedures if these tips don't help, talk to a dentist like Hurst Family Dental.