7 Tips for Whiter Dazzling Teeth
Dr. Joseph Lee is a Dentist practicing in Jacksonville, FL. Dr. Lee specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures,... more
The infatuation for whiter teeth is nothing new. Our ancestors often went to great lengths to try and achieve that oh so pearly white smile. For instance, ancient Romans used to apply urine to try and whiten their teeth! The desire for whiter teeth has not dimmed at all in our current age. A quick search on Google produces an overwhelming assortment of results on how to whiten your teeth. Unfortunately, some of those results range from useless to causing outright damage to your teeth. That is why we’ve put together this list of tips for keeping your teeth whiter.
- Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once. Not only is this a good recipe for keeping cavities at bay, it helps keep food debris from sitting against your teeth for long periods of time and staining your teeth. Oral hygiene is the basis for good oral health because applying even the most expensive tooth whitening gels won’t do anything if plaque and food are blocking the gel from actually touching your teeth.
- Avoid overusing whitening toothpaste and other abrasive compounds. Tooth discoloration is either due to surface stains (extrinsic) or internal discoloration (intrinsic). Abrasives such as whitening toothpaste, baking soda, or charcoal can have some success in removing surface stains but do not have any effect on internal stains. In addition, overuse of abrasives can have the opposite effect of whitening as it can permanently wear away or thin the whiter enamel outer layer of your teeth and expose the yellow inside layer of your teeth, also known as dentin.
- Limit or avoid food and drinks that would stain a white shirt. Studies have shown that exposure to dark colored foods and beverages, such as red wine, cola, or sauces, will cause tooth discoloration. However, if you do indulge in some dark colored food and drinks, try swishing with some water between and afterward to reduce the likelihood of staining. Drinking dark fluids through a straw may help as well!
- Avoid tobacco products. The nicotine in cigarettes or chewing tobacco will leave yellow and brown stains that are difficult to remove.
- Don’t use acidic chemicals to whiten your teeth. Some web sources use vinegar to whiten your teeth. Not only is this not backed up by any science, but regular exposure to acid on your teeth will soften your teeth and promote tooth decay and staining.
- Over-the-counter whitening gels. Visit your local Target and you’ll find many companies offering low concentration peroxide-based whitening gels which are relatively safe and have few side effects. Typically, these types of products are more effective at lifting surface stains but may have limited to no effect on internally discolored teeth.
- Regular professional teeth cleanings. With an arsenal of instruments and high-tech gadgetry, your hygienist can quickly and effectively remove the majority of surface build-up. Not only does this leave your teeth looking their best, but also ensures your mouth stays healthier as well.
For more stubborn surface stains and internal discoloration, talk to your dentist. He or she can better assess what the cause may be as well as what is the best way to treat it. Professional teeth whitenings often use high concentrations of peroxide and require more care and supervision to prevent damage or harm to your gums and teeth.
