One of the primary responsibilities of a cheerleader is to hype the crowd with their energy. Aside from their performance, one way of keeping the crowd active is displaying their trademark, a cheery smile. A great smile is also one of the most essential parts of a cheer uniform that any cheerleader can wear. If you're wondering how to guarantee your picture-perfect smile, you're reading the right article. Let's get on this list so that you can practice your cheer performance and smile.
1. Brush your teeth and choose the right toothpaste.
Your teeth play a vital role in your smile, and their condition can really affect your confidence. Aside from flossing and regularly brushing your teeth, it is also essential to check for the ingredients in your toothpaste. According to Brushin' on Belmont General Dentistry, hydroxyapatite (HAp) toothpaste whitens the entire tooth. Don't forget to pay your dentist a visit for an oral checkup and cleanings to help you display your pearly white teeth that can be seen through your performance smile. Always remember that a healthy smile is a beautiful smile.
2. Watch what you eat and limit the foods that can stain your teeth before your competition.
Foods that are sweet and high in glucose content can affect your dental hygiene. The acid from sugar causes your teeth to appear yellow and lose enamel. Limit foods with high sugar content like coffee, tea, chocolates, fruit juices, and sodas. Some sports drinks also contain high sugar, so rinsing your mouth with water after you finish drinking, is needed.
3. Whiten your teeth naturally.
Investing in teeth whitening products can help your oral hygiene in the long run. One of the fantastic products available to naturally whiten your teeth is the whitening strips with light. This latest innovation really is a game-changer, isn't it? Here's a kit from Crest that you can purchase from your local store or through amazon.com
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Aside from these products, you can also find teeth whitening items at your own home. One of these products is baking soda. Gently polish a baking soda on your teeth to remove stains and reduce plaque. Also, some studies show that baking soda can fight bacteria and prevent tooth decay. You can also use hydrogen peroxide with baking soda for 1 to 2 minutes a day, and you can do this twice a week. Just make sure to use 1.5% or 3% volume to avoid any side effects.
4. Do a mouth exercise to improve your smile and warm up your facial muscles.
Aside from warming up your body before any practice or competition, it is also essential to exercise your facial muscles to avoid an awkward smile. Here are 3 great tips from Edmonton dentists at Azarko Dental Group to improve your performance smile.
Exercise #1 - The Whistle
Begin this exercise by pursing your lips as if you are about to whistle, only instead of leaving a small hole as you would when whistling, make sure you push your lips tightly together. As you tighten your lips and push them out more, you should feel the tension in the surrounding facial muscles. Hold the pose for 10 seconds and do 10 repetitions at a time. After about one to two weeks, you may notice a difference in how widely you can smile.
Exercise #2 - The Rabbit
"The Rabbit" is an excellent exercise for toning cheek muscles and improving smile flexibility and control. It can help to have a mirror handy while you give it a try because the steps can be tricky to master at first.
Start by smiling as wide as you can while keeping your mouth closed. It can help to visualize that your smile extends from ear to ear. While smiling, try wiggling your nose until you feel your cheek muscles engaging. Hold the pose for about five seconds, and repeat 10 times.
Exercise #3 - The Wide Smile
Unlike in the previous exercise, you want to smile as widely as you can with your lips open, holding the pose for at least 15 seconds and repeating it 10 times. You'll know you're smiling widely enough if you feel some mild straining in your cheeks. If you don't feel anything, try to smile slightly wider. As you continue this exercise over several days, you'll quickly notice an improvement in how wide you can smile.
5. Use your makeup skills to make your lip noticeable and make your eyes shinier.
Aside from your lips, your eyes should also draw attention when you smile throughout your performance. One of the keys that makes your eyes look brighter is adding a sparkly eyeshadow and eye highlighter. Marie Claire (https://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/g35321220/best-glitter-eyeshadows/) lists ColourPop Super Shock Shadow as one of the best glitter eyeshadows for the ultimate sparkle. They have a variety of glitter shadow shades that you can choose from.
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Work on your lip magic by lining your lips and choosing the right lip color that emphasizes your smile. Lip lining makes your lips fuller and helps the audience to draw more attention to your smile. For great visual learning on how to line your lips, here's a quick tutorial uploaded by Jennifer Chiu. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loEdT_8IReM
If you need help choosing a lip liner that works for you, check out Huda Beauty Lip Contour. From light to darker shades, they got you covered!
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For your perfect lip color that stays for an extended time. Check out Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink. It lasts for 16 hours, and there are 40+ shades designed for your lip color preference. This lipstick is packed with pigment and nearly weightless when you wear it, and it will definitely bring out the best of your cheer performance smile.
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Practice makes perfect, and it also applies to your performance smile. Like Yoko Ono, a multimedia artist, said, "Smile in the mirror. Do that every morning, and you'll start to see a big difference in your life." Be confident with yourself and know your strengths. Most importantly, you have to enjoy yourself on the mat, and a genuinely beautiful smile will follow.