Tips for Whiter, Shinier Teeth

When it comes to the aesthetic areas of teeth, virtually all of us have the same primary desire: Shiny, white teeth that show off the smile. We go to various lengths to achieve this, from basic brushing and oral care up to specific teeth whitening services. At the offices of Grant Dental, we’re here to help. We have teeth whitening and bleaching services for those who feel they need a little extra boost in their whitening, but we also can help with numerous whitening tips for those who don’t want to take this kind of step. Here are some important tips to help reduce yellowing and show off those pearly whites.

Brushing and Scraping

The simplest and most well-known way to keep teeth white and healthy is through brushing twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. This also keeps the gums healthy, a big contrasting factor in ensuring that teeth appear white and properly placed. Use a whitening toothpaste if you like, brushing in circles for the duration of your brush. Another important factor: Scraping the tongue, which you should do on every brushing. This will remove bacteria from the back of your mouth, bacteria that might otherwise have spread to the teeth and yellowed them out. Use long strokes, starting from the back of the tongue and moving forward to move bacteria out of the mouth. Be sure to clean the toothbrush well afterward.

Yellowing Areas to Avoid

There are several foods, drinks and other items you should avoid or limit if you want to keep your teeth from yellowing:

  • Coffee
  • Other darker foods and drinks such as wine or tea
  • Cigarettes
  • Processed foods
  • Foods heavy in citrus
  • High-acid drinks like soda or energy drinks

Whitening Areas to Promote

On the flip side, certain foods will actually promote white teeth – and these are the same foods that promote health elsewhere in the body, too. Lots of fruits and vegetables, particularly green veggies like broccoli or kale, will help produce more saliva in the mouth that helps clean out bacteria. Many of these also have minerals that protect the teeth from yellowing.

Using a Straw

If you absolutely must drink something like coffee or wine as part of your day, we highly recommend doing so through a straw. This will limit the amount of contact these beverages have with your teeth, allowing you to get the drink you want without risking yellowing teeth.

Loosening After Eating

Whenever and however possible, you want to work to loosen any possible food particles left over in your mouth after eating. This will remove bacteria that can form on them. The optimal strategy here is brushing after eating, but this isn’t always possible – in cases where you can’t brush, simply take a gulp of water and swish it around in your mouth for several seconds to loosen anything in your mouth. Using toothpicks can help as well, but be careful not to irritate the gums too heavily here. For more on how to keep the teeth white and shining, or to learn about any of our other general dentist services, speak to the staff at the offices of Grant Dental today.

Tips for Whiter, Shinier Teeth Tips for Whiter, Shinier Teeth

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