During this summer’s downtime, some of you might notice your teeth have gotten yellow. That can be uncomfortable to realize, especially if you’ve been around others lately. You might even feel a bit embarrassed about your situation. However, you can make your smile shine white again; it’s just a matter of following the correct practices. That said, learn how to get whiter teeth by using the four dental tips listed below.
Cut Back on Sweets
As you may know, high-sugar foods are known to cause tooth decay. They trigger mouth bacteria to produce acids that slowly erode tooth enamel. Besides causing cavities and tooth infections, this decay can lead to a duller smile.
Thankfully, you can improve your teeth’s color by cutting back on sugary products. Doing so not only reduces enamel loss but gives your body a chance to repair teeth before a cavity forms.
To help things along, try having apples, oranges, or pineapples as alternatives to sweets. These fruits increase the production of teeth-cleaning saliva.
Avoid Stain-Causing Foods & Drinks
Besides sugar-based products, you should also be cautious of teeth-staining foods and drinks. Things like berries, red wine, coffee, and soda have dyes that can stain tooth enamel. Acidic beverages can also darken your teeth due to tooth decay (see above).
Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t have these items in moderation. It’s just a matter of not eating or drinking them excessively.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Clean and healthy teeth are more likely to be white than yellow or brown. Plus, leftover food, bacteria, and plaque can leave tooth stains if not removed properly. That said, good oral hygiene will give you pearly whites that live up to their name. It mainly involves:
- Brushing your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste twice daily
- Flossing your teeth with a good brand of dental floss once daily
- Rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash as needed
Get Professional Teeth Whitening
If you want to get noticeably white teeth quickly, the best choice to take is professional teeth whitening. Dentists offer this service through in-office treatment and take-home whitening kits.
For the in-office procedure, you’d have a one-hour appointment that would make your teeth six to eight shades whiter. Meanwhile, using the take-home kit over two weeks would also whiten your smile well.
You don’t have to hide your teeth from others due to their yellowness. As you can see from the tips above, you have the power to make them white for a lifetime!
About the Practice
Leading Edge Dentistry is based in Marietta, GA, and is led by Dimple Patel. The practice specializes in preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, including emergency dental treatments. Thanks to their expertise and advanced dental technology, its staff can handle everything from dental checkups to dental veneers. For more information or to book an appointment, they can be reached at their website or by phone at (770)-425-2001.