I have always been an avid hockey player, and my love took a bad turn one day when I got struck in the mouth with the puck. It was a painful moment that left me with two teeth knocked out of my mouth. Had I taken the right steps after the accident, I could have possibly saved the teeth, but I did not know I had that option at the time. Thankfully, I worked up the courage to visit a dentist and ask what my options for teeth-replacement were. I was worried I would would have to live the rest of my life without smiling, but I was ecstatic to learn that I was the perfect candidate for dental implants. I created this blog to help others realize that there are so many options to replace missing teeth today that no one has to "just live with" an imperfect smile!
If you want to have a whiter smile, you can have your teeth whitened at a dentist's office, like Edgewood Dental. Or, you can take the DIY route. This way, you will be able to improve your oral hygiene and moderate your in-office visits. You can learn about natural ways to keep your teeth whiter in this article.
Brush often and at the right time
Perhaps one of the easiest things you can do is to brush your teeth after each meal. While most people know they should be brushing their teeth at least twice a day, only 3 out of 4 people follow through. Even if you do brush twice a day, this leaves many hours between those times that the food you eat is allowed to sit on your teeth and cause additional staining. However, if you do decide to brush more often, you need to do it at the right time. You should brush your teeth before a meal and not right after. Some food and drinks have higher acidity levels, so brushing after eating can exacerbate your teeth. With diligent brushing habits, your teeth should be whiter in no time!
Make your own whitening toothpaste
You can make a toothpaste that helps whiten your teeth while cleaning them. To make the paste, add peroxide to some baking soda until it turns into a smooth cream. You want to make sure you get the grittiness out of the paste before you brush with it, or it can wear down your enamel. You can use this paste in lieu of your regular toothpaste. The baking soda will clean your teeth while the peroxide works as an anti-bacterial substance, as well as a whitener.
Stay away from staining foods
Certain foods will stain your teeth more than others. It's advisable to stay away from these foods as much as possible. Some examples of these foods include red wine, tea, coffee, soy sauce, sports drinks, soda, certain types of berries like blackberries and blueberries, tomato sauce, and popsicles. Incorporating some foods in your diet will actually help remove stains. A few of these foods are celery, strawberries, and sesame seeds.
Use mouthwash
Most everyone has heard that it's important to use mouthwash nightly, yet a quarter of people have never used mouthwash. Rinsing with it before bed will help to disinfect your mouth and remove any residue leftover after brushing. Mouthwash with higher hydrogen peroxide levels will help you whiten your teeth more quickly. However, make sure you use high-concentration mouthwash in moderation, otherwise your teeth will become overly sensitive.
By following the advice in this article you will see your teeth stay whiter for a longer period of time. Most of the tips will also help keep your teeth stronger and healthier.
Share15 May 2015
