Nothing is more contagious than a genuine smile. However, there are a lot of things out there that keep people from showing their’s off. One of the biggest is teeth not being white enough.
Have you been embarrassed that someone may notice your not-so-white teeth? Have you been guilty of giving the “closed-mouth” smile recently? If so, it’s time to change that.
There is no need to feel embarrassed any longer! You deserve to show off your smile with confidence. Keep reading to learn about 11 tips for a whiter smile!
1. Whitening Toothpaste
Whenever you visit the dentist, they work tediously to remove any built-up plaque or stains.
Whitening toothpaste is a great tool to maintain healthy and clean teeth between dentists visits. Whitening toothpaste contains silica, a gritty material, that helps to exfoliate and remove plaque stains.
You probably won’t see a dramatic difference with whitening toothpaste, but it is a great maintenance tool.
2. Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal has been used in the medical industry since the 1800s. It has recently risen in popularity for use in beauty products and teeth care.
The chemical properties of activated charcoal make it very porous. This means it’s really good at absorbing toxins, plaque, or stains.
This is a great natural alternative to brighten and whiten your smile.
3. Eat High Calcium Foods
This is great news for dairy lovers. Maintaining a diet high in calcium makes for healthier teeth.
Calcium helps to keep your tooth enamel strong, which means your teeth will stay protected. Yogurt and cheese are both great sources of calcium.
A lot of our food today is high in acid and sugar. These are both huge culprits for breaking down enamel. While avoiding these foods altogether is most effective, it’s not the most reasonable option.
It’s important that you keep the enamel strong and healthy by eating the right nutrients.
4. Enamel Protection
Take active steps to protect your enamel. Enamel cannot be rebuilt after it is broken down. This means you need to work to maintain the enamel you have.
Once enamel is weakened, your teeth are more susceptible to stains. Using toothpaste and mouth rinses with Flouride is a great way to protect your enamel.
5. Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
It’s inexpensive, and the ingredients are usually sitting around your house.
Baking soda help whiten and brighten your smile in two ways. It has an abrasive texture that helps remove plaque build-up on the outside layer of your teeth. Also, the alkaline powder found in baking soda is great at absorbing stains.
Hydrogen peroxide is useful because it can pass through the enamel barrier and whiten the teeth from within.
6. Upgrade To Electric
Electric toothbrushes are much more effective at removing everyday stain and plaque build-up than manual brushes. If you haven’t already, it is time to upgrade!
The vibrating head of the toothbrush is able to remove more plaque while also stimulating your gums. Healthy gums are essential to a healthy smile.
Another benefit is that you will be sure to brush long enough. Most electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer to ensure you are getting those 2 minutes in!
7. Brush and Floss Correctly
If you are serious about keeping those teeth white, you need to brush and floss thoroughly every single day!
Brushing thoroughly and often will help you remove plaque and stains. Flossing is also essential for removing plaque and build-up in and around your teeth.
8. Chase With Water
Although wine is high in antioxidants, it is terrible for your teeth. This goes for both red and white wine. The high acidity breaks down the enamel making your teeth more susceptible to stains.
Your first instinct may be to brush right away, however, this is not the case. You want to wait at least 30 minutes before brushing to give your saliva time to remineralize broken down enamel.
Instead, you can chase the acid away by drinking a glass of water.
You should also avoid energy drinks and sugary drinks for the same reason. This includes sodas and juices. When drank often, these drinks are responsible for some serious damage.
Picture weak, thin, yellow teeth, and that’s what these highly acidic and sugary drinks can do to you!
9. Activate Saliva Production
Your saliva is responsible for repairing damage to your teeth and naturally cleansing your mouth.
Eat things that will activate your saliva production. Crunchy vegetables like celery and carrots are great. You can also chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candies to get the job done.
10. Avoid Staining Culprits
Other teeth staining culprits are coffee, tea, blueberries, blackberries, and beets.
If you question a food’s staining ability, imagine trying to get whatever you are eating or drinking out of a white shirt. If it would be a difficult stain to remove from your shirt, it will also be difficult to remove from your teeth.
Remember to rinse your mouth after you eat them, and brush!
11. Professional Teeth Whitening
If you want fast and immediate results, professional teeth whitening is a great option.
A professional teeth whitening session can often remove stubborn stains. You can also pick the level of whiteness you want, to make them look as natural as possible.
Professional teeth whitening is faster, and a more comfortable option. Teeth whitening strips can often leave teeth sensitive. Also, who wants to walk around with a gross piece of plastic on their teeth for 30 minutes anyway?
The results will be longer lasting, and you can maintain that new smile with the tips you have learned here.
On Your Way To A Whiter Smile
Using the 11 tips above will help you have a whiter smile than ever before. Most of these won’t even cost you a dime.
Don’t feel embarrassed or hide that smile any longer! For more help on a healthier smile, contact us today!
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