A single smile can give off your character right away. The best way to show people a good first impression is to take care of those pearly whites.
Not sure where to start? Here are 20 top secrets for getting whiter teeth.
Oil Pulling
An ancient oral hygiene tradition the Indians passed on to us is oil pulling. Natural coconut oil is swished in our mouths to remove toxins and bacteria. As you continue to use it, dirt is scraped away, leaving you with whiter teeth!
Check Your Medication
Certain medications cause your teeth to yellow over time. This is due to the ingredients used to make them. Although it’s more important to take care of your health, you can discuss alternative medications with your doctor. Antibiotics, antihistamines, anti-psychosis medication, and hypertension medication commonly cause teeth discoloration.
Eat Healthy
You may have been told that dairy products contain calcium to strengthen your bones and teeth. However, the case is different when it comes to whitening your teeth. Chewing on crunchy fruits and vegetables help scrub off the plaque on the surfaces of your teeth. Chewing will also increase the production of saliva in your mouth, which is the most natural cleanser for your teeth. And because fruits and vegetables don’t contain excess sugar and unwanted chemicals, this method is safe to do as many times as you need!
Monitor Your Acid Reflux
Do you suffer from severe acidity in your stomach? If so, then it’s time to delve into your condition and find treatment options. In some severe cases of acid reflux, excess acidity can affect your oral health. It doesn’t happen in all cases, but it’s an added risk that you need to watch out for.
Look into Using a Teeth Whitening Kit
There are some people who like to take matters into their own hands. This is fine as long as you understand the pros and cons of your preferred method. When doing your research, make sure that you go for the less invasive treatments. These types are often safer and have no to little side effects. Its ingredients should be approved by the authorities in the food and drug administrations. Most importantly, be sure to consult your dentist before hopping on to any kind of product. Don’t know where to start? Try checking out this product.
Practice Effective Brushing Habits
This should be a no-brainer. Brushing your teeth after every meal removes food particles that could develop into bacteria. Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes—use a timer or play a song that’s as long.
Use a Straw to Drink
Soda, coffee, and other sugary drinks are some of the main culprits for yellow teeth. When the beverage hits the surface of your teeth, it leaves a sticky film that can’t be broken down by water alone. To lessen the effects from the drinks, use a straw.
Limit Teeth-Staining Food and Beverages
There are certain foods and drinks that can visibly stain your teeth. If you drink coffee in the morning like any other person, your chances of getting yellow teeth increase. Permanently taking it off from your diet might too much, so you may want to consider cutting back on it. Similar beverages include sugary juices, sodas, and other beverages with excess sugar.
Clean Your Tongue
The organ that comes in contact with your teeth the most is your tongue. No matter how much you brush your teeth, your chances of getting bacteria will not decrease if your tongue is not clean. After brushing your teeth, brush your tongue as well with your toothbrush or a tongue scraper.
Try Using Baking Soda
Your kitchen holds more useful ingredients than you think. Another safe alternative to use for teeth whitening is baking soda. Its coarse texture scrubs off surface stains on your teeth. Just mix it with a small amount of water until it becomes a paste. However, use it sparingly as too much might remove your teeth’s natural enamel.
Keep Yourself Hydrated
No kidding. Drinking more water keeps your breath from smelling bad, and normalizes the acidity levels in your mouth. Water also acts a natural cleanser, swishing away the small particles of food in your mouth.
Protect Your Toothbrush
Your wet toothbrush is eye-candy for bacteria to settle and breed. It doubles the risk when you leave your toothbrush in a damp environment…your bathroom. Keep your toothbrush in a dry area. Avoid using toothbrush covers as it can trap bacteria inside.
Do Not Use Acidic Ingredients For Teeth Whitening
There are some sources that advise using lemon juice, lemon oil, or apple cider vinegar to whiten teeth. While this method is effective, it can also be dangerous. Applying it directly on your teeth can strip off your teeth’s natural enamel, making your teeth more sensitive and yellow over time.
Replace Your Toothbrush 4 Times a Year
Yes, you read that right. Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every 3 months. To begin with, your toothbrush doesn’t have the ability to fight off every bacteria that thrives on it. The longer you keep using it, the more bacteria you introduce to your mouth, which causes bad breath and cavities. Additionally, as the bristles lose their shape, they won’t be in the right condition to reach all the nooks and crannies of your teeth.
Give Activated Charcoal a Try
Activated charcoal is a natural abrasive. It’s made from wood chips, coconut shells, and other organic materials. Similar to baking soda, use it sparingly as it can do more harm than good when used excessively. You can also try charcoal-infused dental products.
Go For Whitening Toothpaste Products
Fluoride keeps your teeth healthy by fighting off cavities. However, it does not whiten your teeth. There are other special ingredients that need to be included into toothpaste for it to have whitening properties. If you want to have whiter teeth, use a whitening toothpaste.
Floss Your Teeth
Floss, floss, floss. It’s one thing that your dentist keeps reminding you to do. And with good reason. There are bits of food particles trapped in between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing your teeth will remove bacteria buildup that could result in a trip to the dentist. It also makes your teeth whiter by removing bacteria that could cause discolorations in your teeth.
Stop Smoking
If you smoke, then you’re probably already aware of the health hazards based from your doctor’s warnings and health brochures. Having yellow teeth is the number one side effect on any smoker. In other cases, cutting back on smoking can restore your teeth’s natural whiteness.
Try Using Mouthwash
Swishing your mouth around can flush away food particles that might cause tooth discoloration. Water works as effectively. If you want to add more effectiveness, try mouthwash with some activated ingredients that help whiten your teeth.
Try Using an Electric Toothbrush
There have been some misconceptions about electric toothbrushes. Some say that they don’t clean your teeth very well. But believe it or not, an electric toothbrush can help you brush your teeth properly. If you think you’re brushing too hard, go for one that gives you an alert when you do so.
Phew! That was a long list. But we gave plenty of easy tips and secrets you never knew that could help in whitening your teeth. Try these out for yourself and let us know when it works!
