Every year, Americans spend a lot of time and money on teeth whitening kits and other products. A bright, white smile is very desirable. However, there are many ways to whiten a smile at home without dental kits or professional whitening services. This article will provide advice for obtaining sparkling white teeth.
Avoid Drinks that Stain Teeth
Some beverages are known to darken teeth. A few examples are:
- Wine
- Soda
- Coffee
- Tea
- Juice
- Sports drinks
To remove beverage stains, wait 30 minutes to one hour after drinking, and then brush your teeth. Doing so can remove sugars or other substances that stick to your teeth. You don’t want to brush immediately after drinking, and this is because acidic drinks weaken enamel, and brushing right away can cause further damage.
Drinking a small amount of coffee or tea will not necessarily cause teeth to quickly stain. Heavy staining is usually the effect of drinking heavy amounts of coffee or tea over time. Even drinking large amounts of iced tea over time can cause staining.
To help prevent beverage stains, drink through a straw. When you use a straw, the liquid bypasses teeth at the front of your mouth. You could also try drinking and swishing water after you drink a staining beverage. Water helps wash away residue.
Be Mindful of Teeth Staining Foods
Berries are delicious, and they have antioxidants that are good for your health. However, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are high in a substance called chromogen. Chromogen can easily be converted into a type of dye which stains teeth. Other foods high in chromogens are tomatoes, grapes, cherries and pomegranates.
To prevent staining, rinse with water after consuming these foods. Wait thirty minutes to one hour, then brush your teeth. The time gap will maximize the effectiveness of water rinsing and brushing to protect your teeth.
Avoid Foods with Strong Dyes
Foods with heavy dyes in them are generally not good for your health. However, many of these foods are sweet treats that people love. Examples of such foods are brightly colored candies and soft drinks. Even sports drinks can dye your teeth.
You can even see evidence of these dyes if you suck on a piece of colored candy and check your mouth in the mirror. Your teeth and tongue will usually be dyed to match whichever color you’ve eaten. These dyed foods also contain a lot of sugar. Sugar can bind to the teeth and be difficult to rinse off. Failure to brush and floss leads to long-lasting stains.
Brush Twice Daily
The most basic things you can do to ensure your teeth stay healthy and white is to brush and floss daily. Brushing and flossing remove food particles and prevent plaque buildup. Not brushing will allow teeth to stain once plaque hardens on the teeth.
Failure to brush regularly can also lead to gum disease and the discoloration caused by tooth decay. Gum disease also leads to tooth loss. Dr. Jack Brazel from 123 Dental (https://www.123dental.com.au/) explains that lasers allow dentists to cut gum tissue with decreased damage to surrounding tissue. Removing infected tissue allows the gums and roots to regenerate. Thus, with the use of a laser, dentists can help patients treat their gum disease.
Use Baking Soda
People have been using baking soda as a whitener for generations. To whiten teeth with baking soda, use a toothpaste with sodium bicarbonate for 1-2 days per week. Or, you could brush with actual baking soda 1-2 days per week. You don’t want to brush with baking soda every day, and this is because it’s too abrasive and can damage teeth by wearing down enamel resulting in weaker teeth and more prone to breaking.
Quit Tobacco Products
There are many reasons to quit smoking. Doing so can improve the overall health of your heart and lungs. However, some people don’t consider what cigarettes and smokeless tobacco can do to their teeth. Smoking or using smokeless tobacco can support the buildup of tartar and plaque on your teeth, which causes teeth to turn yellow or brownish.
As previously stated, there are many things you can do to whiten teeth at home. For starters, you could avoid foods that contain dyes. If you do eat teeth staining foods or beverages, swish your mouth with water. Wait about an hour, and then brush and floss your teeth. Another good way to avoid staining is to quit using tobacco products. Flossing and brushing daily can also significantly eliminate discoloration.
