How to Brighten Your Smile
You may have heard or read a thousand articles on how certain foods will stain your teeth. Well, we are here to list off the items that will help whiten your teeth.
Not all of us can afford expensive whitening procedures. Yet, we all still have occasions that require nice, white teeth. Say, your wedding day is coming up. You obviously don’t want to go through your special day with yellowed or even brown teeth. So what can you do?
For starters you can read this blog and learn all the small tips and tricks you can do to keep your teeth white and bright.
Brushing Your Teeth…Go Figure.
Surprisingly enough brushing your teeth regularly will whiten your teeth. Though this might seem like an obvious answer to your problems, it is true. If you regularly brush and floss your teeth, you will be able to keep particles away from the crevices of your teeth. By brushing your teeth, you are essentially clearing away any film left over by the soda or coffee you drank earlier that day.
Brushing your teeth after every meal is essential to maintain a healthy looking smile. Though you typically are only told to brush twice a day, three times a day will clear any particles from your teeth and make sure your teeth are fully cleared from anything you eat or drink throughout the day. Remember, brushing your teeth is a preventive approach to maintaining a healthy smile, and you need to see your dentist to completely remove all plaque and tartar.
Also, brushing your teeth means that you will apply a bit of toothpaste to your teeth. Today, toothpaste often incorporates whitening properties. Because of this, you can apply a whitening solution to your teeth every time you brush your teeth.
Now don’t assume that because toothpaste has some whitening qualities that you should apply it in excess — it doesn’t work that way. Just use enough toothpaste to get you by and then brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day.
Arm & Hammer to the Rescue!
Baking soda is a secret cleanser for your mouth and works wonders when whitening your smile. All you have to do is put a bit on your toothbrush and brush your teeth normally. Though it may not be the tastiest thing in the world, it does work and will whiten your teeth after a few tries.
The Journal of Dentistry has found that in five controlled clinical studies, over 270 subjects who brushed their teeth with baking soda had less plaque than non-baking soda used. This means that baking soda not only has whitening properties, but cleaning ones as well. By having less plaque, this shows that the subjects who used baking soda had healthier teeth. If this is not enough reason to use baking soda for your teeth, we don’t know what will!
It is important that you use caution when using baking soda. Don’t use baking soda too much. Due to the fact that the soda is highly acidic, it can be damaging to your teeth if using in excess. Just like most things in life — use in moderation.
Coconut Oil Pulling
Coconut oil does clean your teeth. If you want to clean your teeth with this method, you will need to take a spoonful of coconut oil and swish it around in your mouth. You will need to do this for about five to 20 minutes for it to fully work. If having a bunch of oil doesn’t sound ideal, you can also put a few drops of the oil on your toothbrush. When you apply the oil to your teeth the coconut oil naturally brightens and whitens your teeth. How? Well, coconut oil has natural antimicrobial properties that are great for protecting and cleaning your gums. Another method for cleaning your teeth is by placing the oil on a cloth and rubbing it on your teeth and gums.
Lemon and Orange Peels
Lemons and oranges are naturally acidic and can sometimes be harmful to your teeth. But when applied in specific ways, it can be beneficial for whitening your teeth. Acidic foods can be a benefit to your digestive system and offer your body natural sugars. However, if you consume too much acid, this can erode your teeth’s enamel. So, if you use the orange or lemon peel method, be sure that you wash out your mouth and brush your teeth afterward. This will ensure that the acid won’t be left on your teeth, yet still be used as a brightening agent.
How it works?
With this method, it is best to leave the strips of peel on your teeth for at least five to ten minutes. Allowing these peels to stay on your teeth will enable the acid to eat away at the plaque resting on your teeth’s surface. You may have a bit of trouble using this method if your teeth are overly sensitive to acid. If your teeth are already suffering from sensitivity, you may have enamel damage or tooth decay. If this is the case, consulting with your local Silver Springs dentist for a check-up is in order.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Using this solution is a natural antibiotic and teeth cleaner. This solution also has properties that work well for lifting stains off of your teeth. If you are a heavy coffee drinker or a smoker, dark stains can keep you from having flawlessly bright teeth. Never fear, just use a bit of this concoction and you will be having white teeth in no time! How does it work?
Well, apple cider vinegar has acetic acid, potassium, magnesium, probiotics, and enzymes — all of which help to kill germs. Also, since the apple cider has natural acids within it, it is a useful cleanser for any plaque building up on your teeth.
This is a great method to clear your teeth, however, it can be very sugary. Due to the acids and sugars used in the solution, it is very important that you wash out your mouth and brush your teeth. This will keep your teeth clear of any plaque that may grow from the solution itself. Of course, you don’t want to do more damage to your teeth than good, which is why cleaning your teeth after using this solution is important.
Dr. Robert R. Mantoni DDS
If you live in Silver Springs and need a teeth cleaning, we can help. Though these methods are useful, there is nothing like a professional teeth cleaning that can make your teeth look and feel fresh and bright. Contact Dr. Robert R. Mantoni if you would like a teeth cleaning or need a check-up for any teeth sensitivity. We can help brighten your smile for any major occasion! Schedule an appointment with us today.
