Have you noticed your teeth starting to become gray or yellow? Are you getting more conscious about your stained teeth? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, it may be time to change your daily routine to accommodate better and healthier oral hygiene habits.
Stained teeth are a cause of concern as they could impact your mental health. Having yellowish teeth can lower your self-esteem, making it challenging for you to socialize with other people. This oral health problem can also make you less attractive.
Fortunately, there are many ways to avoid or remove stained teeth. Follow the tips presented below so you can finally achieve white teeth and have the confidence to flash your pearly whites.
Table of Contents
1. Stick To Healthy Dental Hygiene Routine
Dental on York and other reputable dental clinics worldwide could affirm that sticking to a healthy dental hygiene routine is essential to achieve white teeth. Brushing your teeth thoroughly after meals can scrub away stains and keep your mouth healthy. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least two to three times a day.
You should also floss at least once a day to remove plaque and tartar in between your teeth. This is important as plaque and tartar can build up over time, making your teeth appear yellow. The more bacteria your mouth has, the darker the stains your teeth will have.
2. Pay Attention To What You Consume
The foods and drinks you consume can contribute to stained teeth. Drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine have strong staining effects on teeth. Consuming excessive amounts of these can cause your teeth to turn yellow.
When it comes to foods that can discolor your teeth, lemons and dark berries are two of the most common culprits. Lemons and other acidic foods contain high levels of acid that can eat away enamel, exposing the yellowish dentine of your tooth. Dark berries, on the other hand, are highly pigmented and their colors can transfer to your teeth.
If possible, avoid foods and drinks that can stain your teeth. If you can’t avoid them, make sure that you thoroughly brush your teeth after consuming them.
3. Incorporate More Fruits And Vegetables To Your Diet
Aside from knowing what food and drinks to avoid, it’s also important to know the right foods to add to your diet. Certain fruits and vegetables can naturally whiten your teeth, and consuming these more will make it easier for you to achieve and maintain pearly white teeth.
Here are some fruits and vegetables that keep your teeth white:
- Strawberries: Strawberries contain malic acid, an enzyme known to have bleaching properties. Besides eating them as snacks and desserts, try mashing a few strawberries and rubbing them on your teeth for a few minutes.
- Dairy products: Yogurt, milk, and cheese can protect your teeth from decay and prevent plaque and tartar from building up. These foods also bind to your teeth to protect them against harmful acids.
- Papaya: Papaya contains a proteolytic enzyme that reduces stains and protects your teeth from plaque formation.
Regular consumption of these may help to protect the teeth. However, remember to brush your teeth after eating as fruits have sugar, and dairy products can turn acidic too, both of which are harmful to the teeth when left too long.
4. Avoid Smoking
Time after time, you have likely heard how dangerous smoking is to your overall health. But did you know that smoking can also affect your oral health?
If you want to achieve healthy and pearly white teeth, don’t smoke. Cigarettes contain high levels of nicotine and tar, which can make your teeth appear yellow after a short period of time. This is one of the reasons why heavy smokers have brownish teeth after decades of smoking.
5. Occasionally Use A Whitening Toothpaste
Technology has improved the dental industry in many ways. Aside from the availability of newer dental procedures, there are also countless dental products that can minimize or prevent stained teeth.
Another way to achieve pearly teeth is to use whitening toothpaste once or twice a week. Whitening toothpaste works by removing and preventing stains from forming on your teeth. Most brands of whitening toothpaste also have antimicrobial properties that protect your teeth from cavities and sensitivities.
6. Get Regular Professional Cleanings
The market is bombarded with countless at-home whitening gels and strips, but using these may not guarantee that you’ll have whiter teeth. There are numerous reasons why your teeth are turning yellow, and relying on DIY solutions won’t address the cause of the problem. Sure, your teeth might whiten after using these products but expect that your teeth will eventually turn gray or yellow again after a few weeks.
Getting professional cleanings every six months is a must if you want to have healthier, whiter teeth. Dentists have the tools to whiten your teeth regardless of how severe the discoloration is. For one, dentists can bleach your teeth safely, keeping them white for at least six months.
Dentists can also properly check your mouth and gums for underlying problems. If you have been trying countless at-home whitening gels, but none worked, a dentist can determine the cause of the problem and provide tailor-fit solutions.
Your Consistency Matters
The key to achieving pearly white teeth is to remain consistent. Even if you followed all the tips in this article, don’t expect that your teeth will immediately whiten overnight. To get long-lasting results, incorporate these tips into your daily routine. Or you can also book an appointment with this well liked dentist in Columbia to ensure good dental practice and hygiene.
To get long-lasting results, incorporate these tips into your daily routine. It’ll be easier for you to achieve pearly white teeth if you exert time and effort every day to look after your mouth!