5 tips to have whiter teeth
Scientist Andrew Newberg says that a smile is “the symbol that was rated with the highest positive emotional content”. It is such a mindless activity that sometimes we don’t even see it coming. We smile when our co-workers crack a joke after a long day at the office. We smile when we come home to our family and see our kids up running out the house. When we achieve something at school or at work or when we just want to feel great, we do nothing but smile. See how our smiles occupy a large chunk of our daily lives? No wonder people are doing all possible measures in making sure that their teeth remain to be pearly white so that they will appear beaming every single time that they flash their smile.
However, our teeth begin to change color over the years because of many factors. Certain foods that we eat stain our teeth, such as wine or blueberries. But smoking and improper oral hygiene will also cause our teeth to change colors. So what do we do to bring back our bright smile? Here are some 5 tips to have whiter teeth.
1. Maintain a daily oral regimen
To achieve not just whiter teeth but better dental and oral health as well, always remember to religiously comply with your daily oral regimen. No matter how tempting it is to ditch brushing your teeth, remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Better brushing practices could include brushing after every snack or after every meal. Don’t forget to include regular flossing to remove food residue that is stuck between your teeth. Also, keep in mind to change your toothbrush every 2-3 months or when the bristles of your toothbrush appear worn out. Keep an eye out when you brush your teeth, if your gums bleed while brushing there may be something wrong. Make an appointment with your local general dentist if you see blood when rinsing. Good oral hygiene is equivalent to cleaner and whiter teeth.
2. Rinse after your nutritional treat
Deep-colored vegetables and fruits are surely high in nutritional value but they also have high tendencies to stain the teeth. When eating foods that may stain the teeth like blackberries, blueberries, beets or other foods like soy sauce, never forget to rinse your mouth with water after eating. On the other hand, you can try eating crunchy fruits and vegetables like raw apples, cauliflower, broccoli and carrots. These foods are hard and crunchy and are abrasive so they can act like natural brushes to clean your teeth. They can help by removing plaque and tooth stain which are the primary causes of cavities.
3. Use apple cider vinegar as mouthwash
The effectiveness of apple cider against other teeth whitening agents is still debatable. However, if you are searching for a healthier option and an organic alternative to whiten your teeth, apple cider vinegar is the way to go. According to Dr. Glassman, it is recommended to portion the homemade mouthwash with a 2:1 proportion, two parts water to one part apple cider vinegar. Rinse your mouth with the solution for about one minute for better results.
4. Do not opt for baking soda
Using baking soda to whiten your teeth is becoming a viral home remedy which is usually featured at online recommendations. However, even if it may be a versatile cleaner used at home, it may not be as effective to use with your teeth. This chemical is strongly abrasive which means that although it may help in removing teeth stain, it may also be harmful for your dental health. Its rough consistency may be too harsh for your teeth and may wear out your tooth’s enamel which will eventually lead to darkened teeth.
5. Avoid Energy Drinks
It is already general knowledge that sweetened drinks like soda are bad for your dental health. But some energy drinks or sports drinks can have a more detrimental effect on your teeth. Research found that energy drinks have high acid content which may erode the tooth’s enamel and lead to discoloration. It is similar to the concept of eating citrus fruits which are also high in acid; the only difference is that when drinking sports drinks, your teeth are actually swimming in it, which is what makes its effect worse and could stain your teeth faster.