White teeth are a common desire. Every year, people spend billions of dollars to buy whitening products. Many store-bought products contain chemicals that may indeed whiten your teeth, but they may also cause your teeth to become sensitive. Although going to the dentist is one of the fastest and safest ways to whiten your teeth, there are several things you can do at home to safely brighten your smile.
Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
When thinking about a whiter smile, look no further than your diet. Eating high-fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can help brighten your smile.
Not only are fruits and vegetables good for your overall health, but they are also good for your teeth. Crunchy, raw fruits and vegetables can help rub away plaque while you chew. Keep in mind that this is not a substitute for actually brushing and flossing your teeth.
Limit Foods that Stain or Are High in Sugar
While increasing intake of good, healthy foods, you should also limit foods with high sugar content. Sugar allows bacteria to form plaque that can cause tooth decay or gingivitis. Brushing your teeth after eating sugary foods can help eliminate this risk.
Several enjoyable foods and drinks, such as certain berries or coffee, can stain your teeth. While you shouldn’t avoid these foods altogether, you should be aware of their ability to alter the color of your teeth. You should try to brush your teeth within an hour of eating these foods to limit how much they can stain your teeth.
Brush and Floss Regularly
The easiest way that you can keep your smile bright is to brush and floss your teeth regularly. As you move throughout your day, consuming food and drinks, plaque and food particles build up on your teeth. Even as you sleep, plaque continues to form.
To reduce plaque and bacteria on your teeth, you should floss daily and brush at least twice a day, or after meals. Toothpaste not only eliminates bacteria but also reduces the stains on your teeth by gently buffing them away.
Visiting your dentist twice a year for regular teeth cleanings is also an efficient way to keep your teeth white. A dental hygienist will scrape away plaque that you miss during your daily oral routine, which will not only prevent tooth decay and disease but also mildly whiten your teeth.
Use Baking Soda
Baking soda, yes, the kind that you may find in your kitchen cabinet, has mild whitening properties. Mild abrasives can reduce tooth yellowing by gently scrubbing away stains.
You could use baking soda from your kitchen, perhaps as a paste or with your toothpaste, but you may be better off choosing a toothpaste or product that lists baking soda as an ingredient. Baking soda alone may not give you the results you desire. However, you will see improvements in surface stains over time if you use a baking soda-based product.
Ready to Take The Next Step?
While at-home care is essential for maintaining a bright smile, nothing compares to the results of professional teeth whitening. If you are ready to dramatically brighten your smile in about an hour, without the guesswork of store-bought products, the father-son team at TotallySmiles can help.
Dr. Steven Anolik and Dr. Corey Anolik offer professional in-office whitening and custom take-home trays tailored to your specific needs and sensitivity level. Whether you want to remove years of stains before a wedding, reunion, or job interview, or simply want to feel more confident in your everyday smile, we are here to help.
Call TotallySmiles today at [new_patient_phone] or request an appointment online. You can also explore our full range of cosmetic dentistry services in Gaithersburg, MD, to discover which option is right for your dream smile.