In a world where we’re all coffee addicts, tea chasers, and sugar consumers, keeping your teeth healthy and white seems to get harder and harder. As children, we watch out for candy consumption to avoid cavities. As adults, we add sugar, creamer, and whatever new beverage our coffee shop of choice has to offer. Trying to keep a minty fresh, sun-blinding white smile has become more and more difficult. However, there are still always ways to keep your teeth as clean as possible. With our new teeth whitening services, we wanted to give you a heads up on how you can start the process at home.
Teeth Whitening Secrets
Okay, so maybe they’re not necessarily secrets, but they seem like lost texts that have never been discovered. Truth be told, keeping a solid oral care routine can only do so much after a long period of time. There are also lifestyle and genetic factors that come into play. Some of the most basic causes that affect you from having pearly whites include:
- Acidic drinks like coffee, tea, soda, and wine
- Smoking tobacco products
- Having thin tooth enamel that exposes the dentin
- Dry mouth
- Various medications such as supplements or antibiotics
- Genetics
- Aging
Some of these factors that affect our teeth we just can’t control. However, a few of these just means we need to make a lifestyle change. Fortunately, there are ways to brighten your teeth and remove surface stains no matter what.
Practice Proper Oral Hygiene
Let’s get the most obvious first step out of the way. Practicing a good oral hygiene routine is the most essential way to keep your teeth clean and white. Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day, flossing regularly, and using mouthwash are the barebone essentials you should be doing. On top of all this, keeping your dental check-ups will help you keep your teeth clean and avoid any other dental problems.
Avoid Foods That Cause Teeth Stains
The most difficult, most important factor is to avoid foods that cause stains. We say it is most difficult because some of our favorite foods are the ones that cause the most stains on our teeth. Pigmented foods such as berries, red wine, and coffee should become treats and not something you rapidly consume throughout the day. However, brushing your teeth after finishing these treats can help avoid staining your teeth completely.
Enamel Protection
If you’re trying to get a bright smile but just feel dull, the culprit is most likely weak enamel. The American Dental Association (ADA) states that tooth enamel is a hard substance that cannot repair itself once it begins to break down. If oral disease takes effect on enamel, then you won’t be able to restore it, which will also lead to decay and cavities. Fluoride, which is found in most toothpaste, can help strengthen the enamel and protect it from wear and tear caused by acidic foods and drinks.
Calcium Is Key
By having a diet that is calcium-rich can also help strengthen your enamel. Having healthy enamel will mean that the layer of dentin doesn’t show, which, in turn, will help your teeth appear whiter. There’s plenty of non-dairy calcium-rich foods that can help provide your teeth with minerals that help keep enamel healthy.
Oil Pulling
Many have tried oil pulling when washing their mouth to help remove bacteria, dirt, and debris. We don’t recommend it as a substitute for regular oral hygiene, but research has shown that washing your mouth with certain oils can help whiten teeth. Do note that the ADA considers oil pulling as an unconventional method, and there’s no reliable scientific proof that it reduces cavities, whitens teeth, or helps improve oral health. Oils that you can try using do include coconut oil, sunflower oil, and sesame oil.
Lee Trevino Dental Teeth Whitening
Lee Trevino Dental can help you and your family get on track for all your oral health and teeth whitening needs. We offer general dentistry, exams, teeth cleaning, and teeth whitening services. Give us a call today to get your teeth in the proper shape and care they deserve.
