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 foods that are high in fiber, 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 also increasing good healthy foods, you should also look to limit foods that have high sugar content. Sugar allows for bacteria to grow plaque that can potentially 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 consuming these foods in order to limit their ability to 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 the amount of 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 mildly whiten your teeth as well.
Use Baking Soda
Baking soda, yes, the kind that you may find in your kitchen cabinet, has mild whitening properties. Mild abrasives can lessen the yellow appearance on your teeth by lightly scrubbing away stains.
You could use the baking soda in your kitchen, perhaps as a paste or in conjunction with your toothpaste, but you may be better off selecting a toothpaste or product that has baking soda listed 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 product with baking soda.