9 Rules For Maintaining a White Smile
Over time it is natural for your teeth to start yellowing, but this can have a negative effect on your self-confidence. The good news is that there are some preventative steps you can take to help maintain your pearly whites. Here are 9 tips for keeping your smile and oral health in tip-top shape.
1. Start a white-teeth diet
You may love having a glass of red wine or black tea at the end of your day to relax, but this is just asking for dingy yellow teeth. Dark drinks like red wine, black tea, or colas and smoking cigarettes or cigars will stain your teeth. After having any of these drinks you should brush your teeth immediately.
2. Throw out your old toothbrush
Every two to three months you should get a new toothbrush or change the head of your electric toothbrush. If you keep your toothbrush for longer than three months you are just transferring bacteria to your mouth.
Bonus tip: When brushing your teeth place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gums and softly move it in circular motions instead of brushing in a back-and-forth motion.
3. Clean your tongue
Brushing your tongue with your toothbrush isn’t an effective way to clean your tongue. Try using a tongue scraper every morning to remove tongue plaque and curb bad breathe.
4. Eat ‘detergent’ foods
Apples are known as nature’s toothbrush because they clean your teeth as you eat them. Other detergent foods are celery, raw carrots, and popcorn. Detergent foods are great for an on the go way to clean your teeth, just make sure to eat them as the final food of your meal.
5. Brush your teeth once a week with baking soda
Brushing with baking soda will remove stains and whiten your teeth. You can use it the same way you would toothpaste. Salt is also another alternative toothpaste, but if you find your gums are feeling raw switch to brushing with salt every other day.
6. Stay fresh
Keep your breath fresh by using an alcohol-free mouthwash. It is important to check the label of your mouthwash because most over the counter mouthwashes contain alcohol that can dry out the tissues in your mouth and make them more susceptible to bacteria.
If you’re ever worried you have bad breath, lick the back of your hand and smell it while it's still wet. If you don’t like what you smell use a sugar-free breath mint.
7. Practice flossing with your eyes shut
Flossing helps to remove bacteria and food debris from in between your teeth and helps to prevent gum disease. So, learning how to floss without using a mirror to guide your work is a valuable skill. If you can gain this talent then you can floss in your car, at your desk, while in bed, or really anywhere.
8. Brush your teeth first thing in the morning and right before bed
It is crucial to brush your teeth right before bed because overnight your saliva, which protects your teeth from cavity-causing plaque, dries up. So it is important to clean all that plaque off your teeth before you sleep. Brushing your teeth first thing in the morning is also important because this will clean off any built up plaque or bacteria that may have accumulated overnight.
9. Conceal with color
Ladies medium coral or light red lipsticks are your best friend! These colors actually make your teeth look whiter, while lighter-colored lipsticks make your teeth appear more yellow.
Combining all 9 of these rules can help you maintain your pearly white smile. However, if you’re already unhappy with the yellow appearance of your teeth contact Smiles by Bergen Dental and make an appointment with Dr. Farinas-Han. Dr. Farinas-Han will work with you to decide the best route to achieve the pearly white smile you desire. Once you have the smile of your dreams you can use these 9 tips to help maintain that perfect white smile.
If you're concerned about the yellow appearance of your teeth make an appointment with Dr. Farinas-Han, at Smiles by Bergen Dental, and schedule a consultation. Dr. Farinas-Han will ensure your safety and help you decide the best route to achieve the pearly white smile you’ve always wanted. Smiles by Bergen Dental is conveniently located in Midland Park New Jersey, within minutes from Ridgewood, Wyckoff, Glen Rock, Paramus, Ramsey, Allendale, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, and Franklin Lakes.
