5 Steps for the Perfect Spring and Summer Smile

Okay, so you guys, there is truly no such thing as a perfect summer smile in the sense that we’re chasing absolute perfection. There isn’t a holy grail that once you reach it, you’ve achieved perfection. BUT there are things you can do for your BEST spring and summer smile, and just in that, in the smile itself, no matter who is wearing it – there is always a beautifully natural perfection.

Isn’t it crazy how at times it takes an external force for us to look internally? We crave change in the seasons, and though we feel those changes, we follow the flow of what is happening around us. The page turn of a new year brings a sense of renewal and a restart. Spring brings the urge to clean out, to purge and allow fresh air and a fresh renewal.

The same goes for beauty. Have you noticed how the trends, the colors, even the process changes from season to season? Even now as we head into the spring term, I’m feeling the urge to clean out and clean up and enter the warm seasons with a fresh start… to give myself the best spring and summer smile possible.

It happens with pregnancy as well, the change in my body is making me take stock of how I’m taking care of myself because I know it’s not just about me anymore. Am I doing the best? Am I making a healthy choice?

With the transition of seasons, comes a period of time where we’re all looking for a switch up in our routines. Now is the perfect time to refresh our oral health and care for our mouth and gums for the best smile of the season!

Ready for your BEST Spring and Summer Smile?

Take Stock.

Take stock of the health of your gums and improve it with Crest Gum Detoxify. I’ve talked about it before when a BIG goal for the year was to smile more, and truly there’s nothing more perfect about a smile than a confident one.

Needless to say, we’ve been using Crest in our home for a long time now and Crest Gum Detoxify is one of our top choices. The Activated Foam goes around, and even below the gum line for lasting gum protection and seeks out bacteria by penetrating hard to reach places leading to clinically proven healthier gums. 

Ask a Pro.

When taking stock, it doesn’t hurt to schedule time with a professional. By that, I mean a dental professional.

When was the last time you had a check-up?

I have to say, I’m GREAT about keeping up with my kid’s regular dental appointments, but I can’t say that I’ve been as regular with my own professional cleanings. It doesn’t take much to get a fresh start and while we’re all Kondo-ing our closets and clearing out the clutter for a spring clean, why not treat your mouth the same?

While you’re at it, take care of those little things you’ve been meaning to get to. I’ve had slightly crooked teeth, well, since I can remember. It wasn’t a BIG thing, but one of those things on my list for years and something I’d notice in every photo. Now though, it’s easier than ever to take care of those little imperfections with clear aligners; and with so many companies and price points to choose from, there really is something for everyone. All of that to say, if you’ve got a little thing on your list… a toothache, needing a checkup, wanting aligners – now is the time to take a step in the right direction and take care of it, you’ll be glad you did!

Lip Care.

“When you’re smiling, when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you.” Yep, Louis Armstrong had it right.

If a great smile is what draws people to your face, then your lips are the window dressings that elevate the whole look. Part of a GREAT spring and summer smile is found in taking care of your pout, and the great thing is, it doesn’t take much!

I have found though that while pregnant, my lips have been SO much drier, it’s crazy. As a foundation to a great pout, I make sure to exfoliate and get rid of the dry, shedding skin.

A quick run of your toothbrush or a wet washcloth across your lips can accomplish this in a pinch. But when I have a touch more time, I like to whip up a quick, nourishing scrub.

Lips can be sensitive, so along with exfoliating, I like to soften and support them. Here’s a quick way to achieve it all in a simple scrub:

• Coconut oil: to soothe and nourish
• Sea salt: to gently exfoliate
• Honey: to moisturize and heal

Keep it Clean.

Many times I’ll stash my favorite spring and summer shades over the winter months, and don darker hues for the colder season. While we’re on the subject of whole mouth health, we don’t want to apply a bacteria-laden lipstick to our freshly prepped pout. But, how do we know when to re-use an old lippie?

Celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg says to use your senses. While sources range from stating that lipstick can last from one to two years, the consensus is that when lipsticks change in color or texture, it’s definitely time to toss. “You need to smell your makeup,” Greenberg says. If something’s off, your nose knows — and that means it’s time to toss.”

And while two years is a good amount of time (meaning you can use a vacation-friendly shade for a summer smile for more than one season), as long as those lippies pass the smell test when you pull them out of the drawer, Greenberg says to just keep things clean. “Clean them off, wipe them off, spray them with a little bit of alcohol just to keep them sanitized.”

Just Do It.

There is nothing perfect about any of us, but that’s where the beauty lies… in the perfect imperfections. So while we can focus on health, on whitening and brightening and on being the best version of ourselves, we should never wait for perfect to smile – or for that matter, anything else in life either!

I’ve said it before, but it’s worth being shared again – I find that when I feel confident about my smile, and confidence only comes in DOING IT, it’s easier for me to smile more often!

Ready to try it on for size? Right where you are, go ahead and give a grin. My bet is that you felt silly enough making yourself smile, that it turned into a real smile, giggle or even laugh. 

It’s healing right? 

In fact, it actually is. Not only do those endorphin-releasing smiles boost your mood, but they also boost your immune system and lower blood pressure. Research shows that even when faced with a stressful situation, smilers maintain a lower heart rate than those with a sad demeanor.

So go ahead, just do it! Let that perfectly imperfect spring and summer smile shine!

Ps. While you’re out an about shopping, don’t forget to pick up Crest Gum Detoxify. I grabbed mine at a recent quick stop in Walmart.

This post for a perfect spring and summer smile is sponsored by Crest. As always, opinions are 100% my own. For more information about Crest Gum Detoxify, visit www.crest.com, like Crest on Facebook and Instagram or follow @Crest on Twitter to receive updates and learn more about oral health