Do you want brighter and whiter teeth? Try maintaining these seven habits that can improve your smile!
They sip coffee through a straw.
It’s no secret that coffee is one of the worst offenders when it comes to stains on your teeth. There’s a reason for this. For starters, the surfaces of your teeth are not as flat and smooth as you might think. There are many microscopic bumps and indentations. Therefore, when dark pigmented particles from your drink touch the surface, they have a tendency to get stuck on your teeth, causing a stain. Also, the acidity of coffee tends to leave a yellowish tint on your teeth as well. While skipping the coffee altogether is always the best solution for keeping white teeth, we understand that’s not always possible. Therefore, drinking coffee through a straw is the next best option. It allows the dark liquids to skip the outer surfaces of your teeth to minimize the staining effects.
They keep their snacking to a minimum.
There’s a reason it is so important to brush your teeth after meals. The bacteria in plaque feed on the sugars in your food and, about twenty minutes later, release harmful acids onto the surface of your teeth. Therefore, if you brush your teeth in time, you can eliminate the plaque’s ability to cause damage. However, when you snack frequently, it can be difficult to brush your teeth every single time. That’s why you won’t find people with white teeth snacking all the time.
They choose a candy bar over a hard candy.
As mentioned above, plaque feeds on the sugars in your food. However, it’s actually the duration of time your teeth is exposed to sugar that determines how harmful it is to your teeth (rather than the amount of sugar in your food). For example, a candy bar that can be chewed and swallowed quickly is much better for your teeth than a hard candy that rests on the surface of your teeth for several minutes. So if you want white teeth, stick to snacks that you can eat quickly! (And then, don’t forget to brush your teeth afterwards.)
They never smoke or use tobacco products.
Smoking is a white smile’s worst enemy, particularly because of the ingredients in cigarettes. Nicotine, while clear, turns yellow on your teeth when it is exposed to oxygen. Tar, another ingredient in cigarettes, can leave a dark brown tint to your teeth. If you want pearly whites, it’s important to avoid smoking or using tobacco products.
They eat the right foods.
There are a number of foods that you can eat that will actually help to keep your teeth healthy and white. For example, crunchy fruits and vegetables can actually help to scrub the surface of your teeth while you chew. Cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products have calcium to strengthen your teeth and make them less susceptible to decay. People with white teeth also avoid foods that cause stains like curry, tomato sauce, highly acidic fruits, and candy.
They drink lots of water.
Drinking water is very important for your oral health, and can also help you to maintain a white smile. It allows you to rinse away bacteria and food debris that can lead to tooth decay or even gingivitis, which can create a yellowing tint on your teeth.
They keep a solid dental hygiene routine.
Above all else, people with white teeth are adamant about maintaining their dental hygiene routine. Nothing ruins a white smile like gingivitis or tooth decay. Therefore, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and after meals. You also need to make sure you floss at least once a day—really! The bacteria and food debris that your toothbrush can’t reach is more likely to be the culprit in causing dental decay. Finally, be sure to schedule a dentist appointment every six months to ensure your teeth are in good health and get a professional cleaning!
Want to get whiter teeth? Call Fairview Dental Group to schedule a cleaning or a professional whitening treatment
with our team of cosmetic dentistry experts!!