How to Get Whiter Teeth

Crack a smile and the world sees your teeth. But between chewing food and having drinks sloshed around, your pearly whites are dealing with a lot.

Why do your teeth turn yellow?

Your teeth are meant to sparkle. But there are a number of factors that can dull their shine. Certain foods can leave stains on the enamel – the outer layer of your teeth – and plaque build-up can cause them to look yellow.
In extreme cases, the hard enamel has eroded away, revealing the dentin underneath, which is a bony tissue with a yellow tinge.
But don’t worry, there are some things you can do to ensure your teeth are well-looked after, and kept in tip-top shape.

Avoid certain foods and drinks

Yes, there are some foods that will leave stains on your teeth. And sorry to say but they’re generally the ones we love to indulge in the most. Red wine, coffee, and black tea are prime examples. Smoking can also cause your teeth to blemish so it’s best to avoid that (plus it’s good for your health). Other foods that can cause staining include some pasta sauces, blueberries, and soy sauce.
A great way to remember what may stain your teeth is: if it’s dark before you put it in your mouth, it’s probably going to leave a mark. It may seem impractical, but brushing your teeth as soon as you can after drinking or eating foods that stain teeth is your best line of defence. Need something convenient? Eat an apple.
When it comes to drinks, avoiding energy drinks can help as well. They contain quite a bit of acid which erodes teeth. In fact, it’s often the same amount of acid as what’s in citrus fruits, but instead of bypassing your teeth, you’re bathing them in the drink. To help, pop a straw in your glass and use that instead.

Brush with a purpose

The first thing to do is take a look at your toothbrush. Making sure you change your toothbrush every two to three months will help with the bacteria build-up. If you can’t remember when you last changed it, have a look at the bristles. If they’re starting to bend and look worn down, chuck it out. Once the bristles are starting to wear, they’re no longer effective in brushing your teeth. When it comes to actually brushing your teeth, place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle against your gums and use a circular motion. And remember not to scrub too hard.
Additionally, don’t ignore the rest of your mouth when brushing. The bacteria on your tongue can affect your breath, but it can also increase the staining on your teeth. You can either use your toothbrush or a dedicated tongue scraper.

Use apple cider vinegar

Gargling with apple cider vinegar helps to kill bacteria. It’s been used for centuries as a natural cleaning product and disinfectant. Acetic acid is the main ingredient which is excellent at killing bacteria. This helps whiten your teeth. However, be very careful with the apple cider vinegar as the acetic acid also may erode the enamel so definitely don’t gargle every day. When you do gargle, dilute it with water, swish it around and then rinse with normal water afterwards.

Foods to eat

There are certain foods that are better for your teeth than others. A diet high in fruits and vegetables are good for your body and your teeth. And the crunchier, the better. The crunch in raw fruits and vegetables can help rub plaque away. And in the non-crunchy department, it’s often claimed that strawberries and pineapple can help whiten your teeth. People claim that the malic acid found in strawberries remove discolouration from your teeth. It’s important to note however, that this hasn’t been backed by science. Strawberries may make your teeth appear whiter; they are unlikely to penetrate the stains. With pineapple, it’s claimed that the bromelain, which is present in the fruit, helps remove tooth stains. But again, there is no evidence.
Also, get plenty of calcium. Some tooth discolouration is caused by the enamel eroding away. And what’s a better mode of protection, than prevention? Drinking and eating plenty of calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese, and broccoli will help with enamel erosion and can help prevent your teeth from turning yellow.

Brush, brush, brush

Never underestimate the importance of brushing and make sure you do it twice a day. The two most crucial times are as soon as you wake up in the morning and just before you go to sleep at night. Saliva which keeps cavity-causing plaque off teeth, dries up at night so you need to get rid of it as soon as possible in the morning.

It’s also handy to floss regularly to reduce the bacteria in your mouth.

Teeth whitening

If all else fails, there are tooth whitening products that you can use on your teeth, whether it’s products you purchase or treatments in the dentist’s chair. Visit Signature Smiles Dental at Marketplace Gungahlin today to achieve a dazzling a new smile.