Everyone wants a beautiful white smile, but how do you keep yours? Good oral hygiene like regular brushing and flossing is necessary, of course, but there are other ways you can keep your teeth white, too. Here are five:
1. Replace Your Toothbrush Every Three Months
Your toothbrush wears out and frays as you use it, and becomes significantly less effective. If you keep brushing with one that’s too old, you aren’t doing as thorough of a cleaning job on your teeth as you should. In general, you should change your brush every three months or so. You’ll be able to tell by how it looks if it’s past its prime.
2. Rinse Your Mouth After Eating Citrus
Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes are delicious and used a lot in both savory and sweet dishes, but they are very acidic. This isn’t good for your teeth because acid wears down enamel. Underneath that layer of enamel is dentin, which has a yellowish color. Lost or thin enamel also makes you more vulnerable to tooth decay, so it’s important for both appearance and overall health. You don’t have to stop eating citrus, though. Instead, rinse your mouth with water after enjoying these fruits, so the acid doesn’t stay in your mouth.
3. Avoid Stain-Causing Drinks
Certain drinks stain more than others. You probably know that coffee and red wine stain, but did you know that tea and energy drinks stain, too? Energy drinks have lots of acid, so they’re similar to citrus fruits in that they wear down your enamel. If you want really white teeth, avoid these types of drinks, or at least drink them with a straw.
4. Brush Your Tongue
Your tongue needs to be brushed just like your teeth. It’s a hotspot for bacteria, which can transfer very easily from your tongue to your teeth and gums. That bacteria leads to plaque, which turns into tartar, which becomes dark with food stains. There are lots of other benefits to tongue-brushing, like fresher breath, so make it a part of your oral hygiene routine. You don’t need any special tools or anything, just use your toothbrush.
5. Eat Raw Fruit & Veggies
Fruits and vegetables have so many health benefits, but their effect on teeth is often overlooked. Raw, crisp fruits and vegetables can actually help clean off sticky plaque. Fresh produce also has lots of nutrients known to protect gums and fortify the body against infections, like Vitamin C, folic acid, and more.
Want to Get Your Teeth Professionally Whitened?
If your teeth aren’t as white as you would like them to be, here at Milltown Family Dentistry, we offer whitening services that are more effective than what you could buy at the store. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Ben Lambeth or Dr. Megumi Lambeth to find out more! Once nice and white, follow the above five strategies to keep your teeth looking good.
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