10 Helpful Tips For Keeping Your Teeth White
As we age, dietary habits, lifestyle choices, and normal wear and tear may influence the brightness of your smile. Fortunately, there are numerous approaches to keeping your teeth white, no matter how discolored they have become. In this post, we are sharing our top 10 tips for keeping your smile bright!
1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
The most important thing you can do to achieve and maintain a bright white smile is to practice good oral hygiene habits at home. In order to achieve your goal of a bright smile, it is important to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. You must also thoroughly floss your teeth each day. Using mouthwash can provide fresh breath and aid in whiter teeth.
2. Avoid Stain-Causing Foods or Drinks
Unfortunately, many of the best foods are stain-causing culprits. Coffee, soft drinks, red wine, berries, and other colorful foods can cause permanent staining on the enamel of your teeth. While we are not suggesting that you give up these food groups entirely, consider reducing your consumption or simply rinsing well with water after you enjoy them.
3. Use a Whitening Toothpaste
Many kinds of toothpaste on the market today aid in whitening your teeth as you brush. Not all whitening toothpaste is created equal. Ask your dentist to recommend the best whitening toothpaste for your teeth during your next appointment.
4. Consider Using a Straw When Drinking Stain-Causing Beverages
If you enjoy coffee, red wine, or soft drinks regularly, you may want to consider using a straw. By using a straw, you allow the stain-causing liquid to bypass your front teeth. There are many reusable straws available today making this lifestyle change cost-effective and eco-friendly.
5. Rinse With Water After Eating Colorful Meals
It is always a good practice to rinse your mouth with water after a meal or sugary beverage. This is especially important after enjoying a particularly colorful meal. Rinsing can remove any stain-causing residue from the surface of your teeth.
6. Eat Foods That Help Whiten Your Teeth
Crunchy fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots, and celery help naturally whiten your teeth by increasing saliva production. Saliva plays a crucial role in protecting your teeth from staining.
7. Avoid Damaging Tooth Enamel While Brushing
When the enamel, or outside layer, of your teeth becomes damaged, your teeth become much more susceptible to staining. By practicing proper brushing techniques, you can protect the enamel and, in doing so, prevent further staining. Be sure to brush gently – not forcefully. Harder brushing does not equal cleaner teeth!
8. Ask Your Dentist About At-Home Whitening Solutions
There are many at-home whitening solutions. However, teeth whitening kits purchased at the grocery store may cause permanent damage to your teeth. Ask your dentist about safe, at-home teeth whitening solutions to improve the color of your teeth.
9. Consider Professional Teeth Whitening
If you have a big event coming up, or you simply wish to achieve more dramatic results, you may want to consider professional teeth whitening. Professional whitening is the safest way to achieve a bright white smile in a short timeframe. Ask your dentist about your eligibility for this service during your next visit.
10. Make Bi-Annual Teeth Cleaning Appointments a Priority
Finally, your bi-annual dental exams and teeth cleaning appointments play a large role in ensuring the brightness and health of your smile. Make your twice-yearly appointments a priority to keep your teeth as white as possible.
Do you wish your smile was brighter? Contact our office today to schedule an appointment!
