An intrinsic aspect of beauty is healthy, shiny white teeth, and it’s been that way for centuries. Historically, healthy looking teeth meant that their owner could afford the high cost of having all of their teeth removed and replaced by false teeth made from ivory or wood. These days it isn’t quite so drastic, but teeth are still a big part of our beauty regimes. They’re on show whenever we smile and talk, and we want them to make a good impression.
Adopt a great brushing routine
Of course, brushing and flossing your teeth is a crucial part of maintaining their health. It removes the buildup of plaque or bacteria which can cause gum disease and tooth decay, leading to tooth loss which doesn’t exactly lend itself to a bright, glistening smile. It also goes some way to remove the staining that teeth endure throughout our lives as a result of our diets, smoking, or drinking. The toothpaste you use will also have an impact on this – if you’re going for the bright white smile, try a whitening toothpaste, which contains ingredients to dissolve the stains and bring out the whiteness.
Consider your diet
The food you eat has a major impact on the health of your teeth. A diet full of crunchy fruit and veggies is far better for your teeth than a diet full of candy and chips. This is for multiple reasons, firstly, the crunch from veggies like carrots and celery actually help to scrape the plaque off your teeth between brushing, which keeps your breath fresh and your teeth white.
Vegetables are also preferred as candy and chips can be terrible for the health of your teeth. The sugar in the candy lends itself to tooth decay and gum disease, and chips can get stuck in tiny gaps in your teeth, making the perfect meal for bacteria which can ultimately end in tooth decay too. Eating fruit and veggies is just far better for the overall health of your mouth. A word of warning, though – just be careful not to eat too many acidic citrus fruits, as the acid will corrode the enamel leaving you vulnerable to decay. If you eat citrus fruit, drink some water to keep the acid flushed out.
Avoid staining foods
Foods and drinks are also prone to staining teeth over longer periods of time. There are some great teeth whitening kits available on the market, but avoiding consuming too much of these staining foods can really help in the first place. Caffeinated drinks such as tea and coffee are some of the worse culprits, along with red wine and cigarettes. Keep these to a minimum, and the pearly whites are all yours.
Protect the enamel
The enamel in your teeth is the top coating. It keeps all the softer, more vulnerable material covered up, and acts as a barrier for any bacteria or bugs which want to try to corrode the teeth. Keeping this enamel in good condition is the key to white, healthy teeth. Foods which contain high levels of calcium, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt help the enamel to replenish and stay strong. It’s even said that cheese helps to clear stains off teeth too. Avoid foods which could compromise the strength of the enamel, such as sugary or acidic foods, as once the enamel is gone the tooth is on a one-way journey to decay.
Bring out their natural whiteness
Certain things will encourage your teeth to become naturally whiter. Many people swear by rubbing baking soda into their teeth occasionally, or rinsing their mouths out with apple cider vinegar. These help to neutralize any problems, kill bacteria, and remove any problematic plaque.
See your hygienist regularly
Your dentist and hygienist are the key to healthy, white, and beautiful teeth. They will be able to discuss your oral hygiene routine with you, and advise on the best course of action for your teeth while considering your lifestyle, family history, and dental history. A regular deep clean from your hygienist will also help to eradicate any build up before it becomes problematic, meaning it should never spiral out of control.
Good oral hygiene and a healthy diet are the key to shiny white teeth, so make those positive changes today.
Enter your email address:
Delivered by FeedBurner
