6 steps to a beautiful smile
Try these simple tips for good oral health from leading dentists.
Jan, 2026
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Flashing a big, beautiful smile can work wonders. For one thing, it's contagious. Studies show that just seeing a friend break out in a smile triggers muscles in your face that cause you to smile back. Amazingly, the very act of smiling—even if you're feeling down—can improve your mood.
But it can be hard to put on a happy face when you feel self-conscious about your teeth or breath. Try these tips to help improve your oral health and get back that dazzling smile.
Written byMichael Gollust.
Medically reviewed byAnn Wendling, MD, MPH.
Sources: Obayashi Y + 13
- Obayashi Y, Uehara S, Yuasa A, Otaka Y. The other person's smiling amount affects one's smiling response during face-to-face conversations. Front Behav Neurosci. 2024 Aug 9;18:1420361.
- American Dental Association. Floss/Interdental Cleaners. September 21, 2021.
- American Dental Association. Brushing Your Teeth. Accessed November 25, 2024.
- American Dental Association. Whitening. August 16, 2022.
- Oral Health Foundation. Diet and my teeth. Accessed November 25, 2024.
- Pushparatnam R. Why is exercise important to dentistry? BDJ Team. 2021;8(2):20–2.
- Illinois Department of Central Management Services. How Can Exercise Improve Oral Health? Accessed November 25, 2024.
- American Dental Association. Dental Filling Options. Accessed November 25, 2024.
- Cleveland Clinic. Dental Fillings. May 13, 2024.
- Cleveland Clinic. Cosmetic Dentistry. November 6, 2024.
- Cleveland Clinic. Orthodontics. October 12, 2022.
- MedlinePlus. Orthodontia. July 29, 2024.
- Cleveland Clinic. Bad Breath (Halitosis). July 18, 2022.
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. Halitosis (Bad Breath). Accessed November 25, 2024.
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