Research has repeatedly shown that a radiant, confident smile has a huge impact on our first impressions of people. Americans don’t take this lightly. Braces and veneers have risen in popularity over recent decades, as we pursue straighter, more appealing smiles. While many of us go to great lengths to keep our teeth straight and our mouths clean and healthy, sometimes we may look in the mirror and realize our once glowing teeth have become yellowed with time. Slight yellowing is natural as we age, but there are certain habits that expedite the process as well as those that help slow it down! If you’re curious about how to better maintain the whiteness of your smile, read on to pick up a few new tricks!
1. Snack on the right stuff.
Healthy, crunchy, plant-based snacks such as celery, apples, and carrots help trigger saliva production which helps to wash away potentially-staining food debris on your teeth. Sugar-free gum also helps you increase your saliva production which can have the same tooth-protecting effects!
2. Brush with baking soda.
If you’ve recently noticed a slight yellowing to your teeth, brushing them with a mixture of 2 parts water and 1 part baking soda for a few days in a row can help brighten them up! Additionally, studies have shown that toothpastes that use baking soda do a better job whitening teeth than other toothpastes do. While it’s okay to use baking soda to brighten your smile periodically, it’s worth noting that baking soda can be abrasive on your teeth and shouldn’t be used routinely.
3. Avoid certain drinks.
For many people, the day starts with a cup of coffee, ends with a glass of red wine, and sees a soda or two somewhere in between. While these small vices may be great parts of your day, they aren’t exactly doing great things for your teeth. Coffee, wine, and dark soda can stain teeth over time, yellowing them and causing you grief. The acid in these drinks can also make you more susceptible to cavities and tooth decay! To avoid the staining effects of these drinks, try using a straw when possible or brushing your teeth soon after consuming them.
4. It’s time to quit
Both smoking cigarettes and using chewing tobacco are harmful to your mouth in more ways than one. Smoking and chewing tobacco lead to various forms of oral cancer, bad breath, and, you guessed it, yellow teeth. Overall, tobacco is never going to help you in your quest for a healthy mouth. The best way to avoid stained teeth from tobacco is to avoid using it altogether, and your dentist may be able to provide you with resources to help you quit!
A bright white smile is not only a confidence booster for you, but a great way to help make a solid first impression. Working towards keeping your teeth white can be done easily at home, but if you’d rather have instant results, give us a call at Valley Dental Care of Plainfield to discuss whitening procedures today!