4 easy ways to improve your smile before your next video conference call

With social distancing being the norm, you are probably attending a lot more virtual meetings in place of work and school. Video conferencing backgrounds can hide a cluttered room but there is no hiding your appearance and your smile.

There are some things that you can do to make sure that your smile looks great on camera and to give yourself the confidence you need to participate fully in your meetings without worrying about how your teeth look.

1. Brushing

It sounds simple but one of the most effective things you can do to keep your smile looking great is follow the American Dental Association guidelines and brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time with a fluoride toothpaste. Brushing your teeth regularly is easy to do and will give you the healthy smile that you want to display on camera. If you know that you have a meeting coming up, you might also want to brush your teeth just before the meeting to make sure that your teeth are freshly cleaned before going on camera.

2. Flossing

When was the last time you flossed? Are you a diligent flosser or do you ignore flossing as much as possible? Flossing is important for keeping your gums and teeth healthy. When you floss you remove debris and plaque that can cause tooth decay and other problems. Flossing is important for good dental health and keeping your gums healthy. When your gums are healthy your teeth will look better and your smile will look more inviting.

If you get regular dental cleanings that will help keep your gums healthy, but right now when only emergency dental care is available you need to floss regularly to keep your smile camera-ready.

3. Teeth whitening

White teeth are naturally more appealing than dirty or stained teeth. If you drink a lot of coffee or eat a lot foods that stain your teeth, whitening can remove those surface stains and make your teeth look better. The best ways to keep your teeth white for your meetings include:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day with a whitening toothpaste that has the seal of American Dental Association on it.

• Avoiding coffee, soda, and other drinks that stain your teeth.

• Flossing regularly

• Not smoking tobacco.

When it comes to tooth whitening it’s important that you avoid a lot of the home whitening remedies that can be found online. Many sites offer advice on how to whiten your teeth naturally but you can actually end up damaging your teeth. It’s best to avoid using any of these to try and whiten your teeth:

• Fruit - The acids in fruit are fine in small amounts, but over time they can wear down the enamel on your teeth and cause sensitivity and other problems. 

• Scrubs - Seeds or abrasive powders can also cause damage to your teeth. The seeds and powders can also get caught between your teeth where they will irritate your gums and contribute to the growth of bacteria, which causes tooth decay.

• Coconut Oil - Using coconut oil swished around in your mouth for 20 minutes isn’t going to whiten your teeth. Even though using coconut oil for just about everything is trendy right now this is one situation where coconut oil isn’t going to help.

4. White strips

If you want to try a specific whitening product or service, just talk to your dentist before you begin. There are at-home bleaching options the ADA has deemed safe and effective for your teeth. 

5. Drink water

Another simple way to keep your smile bright and clean is to drink lots of water throughout the day, especially during a meeting. As you talk your mouth will get dry and you won’t be producing enough saliva to wash away plaque and food debris that could be dulling your teeth. Consistently drinking clean, cool water will keep your mouth fresh and your teeth clean.

Brought to you by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. Material discussed is meant for general illustration and/or informational purposes only and it is not to be construed as tax, legal, investment or medical advice. This is not dental care advice and should not be substituted for regular consultation with your dentist. If you have any concerns about your dental health, please contact your dentist's office.