A smile doesn't just make you look more positive- it actually
makes you feel better. People who feel positive about life live longer,
healthier, and more fulfilling lives. However, people who feel
self-conscious about stained or discolored teeth are less likely to
flash them. If you're not crazy about the way your smile looks, there's
no need to hide it away- there are plenty of ways to brighten your teeth
without breaking the bank.
1.Avoid sugary and/or stain-enhancing foods.
Sugary foods, especially hard or gummy candies that hang around in your mouth for a while, are enemy number one when it comes to keeping healthy teeth. Decay-causing bacteria feed on sugar, and produce excretions that dissolve tooth enamel. Enamel, the hard coating around your teeth, protects the softer inner material from being exposed to wear and tear. When this enamel starts to wear away, stains and decay have a much easier time taking hold of your teeth.
Beverages like coffee and red wine are extremely staining to teeth due to a combination of dark color and acidity. When you eat acidic foods, your enamel actually weakens or softens temporarily. Your teeth are much more susceptible to stains while enamel is in this weakened state, and indulging in these drinks on a regular basis can have a lasting effect on teeth. If you can't give up your morning coffee or weekend wine with dinner, brush your teeth about thirty minutes after finishing your drink. This gives your enamel time to harden and allows your toothbrush to do its job without driving stains further in to teeth.
2.Concentrate on hygiene.
Absent-mindedly scrubbing at your teeth once or twice a day with a toothbrush isn't enough to maintain your dental health- and a healthy smile is an attractive one. You should brush for a full two minutes, twice a day. Concentrate on what you're doing and make sure to reach every surface of your teeth. Don't skip the flossing either; your toothbrush can't get between teeth to prevent decay and stains from taking hold in the tiny nooks and crannies of your mouth.
On the other end of the spectrum, don't make the mistake of brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with extremely strong or stiff bristles. Your teeth need a thorough cleaning, but brushing with too much force or too-stiff bristles can damage your enamel just like sugars and acids; you can put tiny scratches in to the surface of your teeth which will make them appear dull and allow stains to set in more easily.
3.Try a home whitener.
For those with mild to moderate stains or discoloring, at-home whitening kits can be helpful. They come in a wide variety of formulas from gels to strips, and there are kits for almost every budget. Often the most effective whiteners are the types that you use once a day, or a few times a week, or several weeks. Keep in mind that whitening tends to make the teeth temporarily sensitive, so you'll want to plan your whitening for a day when you're not about to go out for dinner or ice cream. At-home kits are not always recommended for those who have extremely sensitive teeth, and the results you can expect will vary. Typically, yellowish stains are present on the outer enamel of teeth and can be improved with home bleaching, whereas more gray-colored stains may be set deeper in to the teeth and will not be affected by a topical whitener.
1.Avoid sugary and/or stain-enhancing foods.
Sugary foods, especially hard or gummy candies that hang around in your mouth for a while, are enemy number one when it comes to keeping healthy teeth. Decay-causing bacteria feed on sugar, and produce excretions that dissolve tooth enamel. Enamel, the hard coating around your teeth, protects the softer inner material from being exposed to wear and tear. When this enamel starts to wear away, stains and decay have a much easier time taking hold of your teeth.
Beverages like coffee and red wine are extremely staining to teeth due to a combination of dark color and acidity. When you eat acidic foods, your enamel actually weakens or softens temporarily. Your teeth are much more susceptible to stains while enamel is in this weakened state, and indulging in these drinks on a regular basis can have a lasting effect on teeth. If you can't give up your morning coffee or weekend wine with dinner, brush your teeth about thirty minutes after finishing your drink. This gives your enamel time to harden and allows your toothbrush to do its job without driving stains further in to teeth.
2.Concentrate on hygiene.
Absent-mindedly scrubbing at your teeth once or twice a day with a toothbrush isn't enough to maintain your dental health- and a healthy smile is an attractive one. You should brush for a full two minutes, twice a day. Concentrate on what you're doing and make sure to reach every surface of your teeth. Don't skip the flossing either; your toothbrush can't get between teeth to prevent decay and stains from taking hold in the tiny nooks and crannies of your mouth.
On the other end of the spectrum, don't make the mistake of brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with extremely strong or stiff bristles. Your teeth need a thorough cleaning, but brushing with too much force or too-stiff bristles can damage your enamel just like sugars and acids; you can put tiny scratches in to the surface of your teeth which will make them appear dull and allow stains to set in more easily.
3.Try a home whitener.
For those with mild to moderate stains or discoloring, at-home whitening kits can be helpful. They come in a wide variety of formulas from gels to strips, and there are kits for almost every budget. Often the most effective whiteners are the types that you use once a day, or a few times a week, or several weeks. Keep in mind that whitening tends to make the teeth temporarily sensitive, so you'll want to plan your whitening for a day when you're not about to go out for dinner or ice cream. At-home kits are not always recommended for those who have extremely sensitive teeth, and the results you can expect will vary. Typically, yellowish stains are present on the outer enamel of teeth and can be improved with home bleaching, whereas more gray-colored stains may be set deeper in to the teeth and will not be affected by a topical whitener.
A healthy lifestyle enthusiast, F.R. writes about keeping our bodies and oral health in prime condition. Look for similar topics from a top dentist in Arlington - team dentist for the Texas Rangers. His specialty is creating beautiful, healthy smiles using stress-free care and a comfortable environment in his Arlington dental office.
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