Did you know that smiling can boost your mood? Not only that, but it can also lower stress and blood pressure. Despite that, however, many people prefer not to smile.
One reason for this is that they don’t like the appearance of their teeth. For instance, they might be discolored. The good news is that it is possible to get them white again!
Interested? Looking for some tips on how to get perfectly white teeth? If so, you’re on the right page. We’ll be going over some things that you can do below.
Keep reading to learn more!
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
Several things can cause tooth discoloration. For example, some foods such as tea or coffee can stain your enamel. Fortunately, you can prevent this by drinking a glass of water afterward.
Erosion of the outer layer can also reveal the dentin underneath, which can give your teeth a yellow appearance (dentin is naturally yellow).
11 Tips on How to Get Perfectly White Teeth
There are various ways to improve the appearance of your teeth. Here are some tips!
1. Go For Regular Dental Cleanings
Tartar, also known as calculus, can give your teeth a yellowish appearance. Fortunately, it’s possible to remove these deposits by going to the dentist.
How often should you go? Ideally, once every six months. That way, you’ll be able to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
2. Be Careful With Stain-Causing Drinks
It’s best to avoid stain-causing drinks such as red wine and tea. Can’t cut them out? Consider using a straw so that the beverage won’t pass over the teeth.
Alternatively, you can rinse your mouth with water after drinking. Just remember, you don’t want to brush your teeth right afterward as that can actually damage your tooth enamel.
3. Quit Smoking
Cigarette smoking isn’t just harmful to your health, it can also stain your teeth. What’s more, is that they can be very difficult to remove as they tend to get stuck in the openings and grooves of your enamel.
Considering that, it might be best to quit smoking altogether.
4. Practice Good Dental Hygiene
It’s important to practice good dental hygiene. This means brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Use an electric toothbrush if you have to.
The type of toothpaste that you use matters as well. We recommend using something with fluoride as that’s what prevents cavities.
5. Use Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening kinds of toothpaste contain various ingredients that are capable of removing stains. For example, they may use mild abrasives such as baking soda or activated charcoal.
Keep in mind, however, that they can reduce your enamel. For this reason, you don’t want to use them for more than a couple of weeks at a time.
6. Eat Natural Teeth-Whitening Foods
Believe it or not but some foods can actually help clean your teeth. What should you eat? Crunchy fruits and vegetables—things like apples, carrots, and celery.
Dairy products are also a good idea as they’ll help counter the acids that are in your mouth. Not only that, but they’ll strengthen your tooth enamel as well.
7. Use Mouthwash
Mouthwash is great for reducing bacteria buildup and freshening up your breath. On top of that, it can improve the appearance of your teeth.
For the best results, use a mouthwash that contains hydrogen peroxide. Gargle the mixture for 60 seconds before spitting it back out.
Keep in mind, however, that it may take a few months for you to see results.
8. Brush Your Tongue
Don’t forget to brush your tongue. As a general rule, you should be cleaning it as often as you’re brushing your teeth. After all, bacteria can settle into the small bumps, also called papillae.
The last thing that you want is for them to create plaque on your teeth. Not to mention that it can also lead to bad breath, which can be a problem on its own!
9. Brush With Baking Soda
Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can help remove surface stains. In other words, it can make your teeth whiter—the higher the concentration of baking soda, the more effective it will be.
That’s one of the reasons why it’s often used in toothpaste. While it won’t work overnight, you should notice a difference after a few weeks.
10. Limit Your Sugar Intake
Sugar supports the growth of plaque-causing bacteria. By cutting down your sugar intake, you’ll be able to improve the appearance of your teeth.
If you must eat sugary foods, make sure to brush your teeth soon after.
11. Professional Teeth Whitening
Most dentists offer professional teeth whitening. They generally involve bleaching the teeth, which may be effective for severe discoloration.
Some may also offer custom teeth whitening trays. Seeing as how they’re made for your teeth, the coverage will be much more consistent than what you can get from drugstores.
For maximum effect, you’ll have to wear the tray for a few hours every day for one to two weeks.
Keeping Your Teeth White
And there we have it—11 tips on how to get perfectly white teeth. As you can see, there are several things that you can do. When in doubt, you can always consult with your dentist!
Looking for a dental clinic in the Lakewood area? We can help—feel free to contact us to set up an appointment!