A bright smile doesn’t just look great. It is often a sign of healthy teeth and gums, free from plaque and tartar build up. Plus, with sparkly pearly whites as your constant companion, you’ll feel more confident, and much more willing to flash your dazzling smile to family, friends, and strangers alike.
While there are all the usual teeth whitening methods, including everything from simply brushing your teeth right through to professional teeth whitening treatments, there are also some very easy, everyday DIY teeth whitening habits that can help to brighten up your smile.
Here are simple tips from Camberwell dentists – and the habits you need to break – to ensure that your teeth are their whitest.
Tips for Whiter Teeth
1. Invest in a New Toothbrush
How often do you replace your toothbrush? Go on. Be honest. You should be replacing it at least every three months, or even sooner. As soon as you spot bristles that look worn out or tired, it’s time to invest in some new brushing hardware. After all, if the bristles are worn out, then they won’t be cleaning your teeth as well as they possibly could be. You’ll end up with plaque and tartar build-up, and less than sparkling teeth.
2. Remember Your Tongue
While most people assume that the main benefit of brushing your tongue is to prevent bad breathe, it can also help to prevent stains forming on your teeth. Your tongue actually accumulates different types of bacteria, which are then transferred onto your teeth, leading to discolouration in the long-term. You can avoid this by using a toothbrush with soft bristles to brush your tongue. Start at the back and move your way to the front, being sure to rinse your toothbrush after each stroke. Regular rinsing ensures that you don’t deposit any of the bacteria onto your teeth in the process.
3. Eat Raw Fruit and Vegetables
Not only is eating raw fruit and vegetables good for your overall health and well-being, it also does wonders for the brightness of your smile. Crunchy, natural foods, like carrots and apples actually remove plaque, tartar and surface stains from your teeth.
4. Rinse Your Mouth Out with Water Regularly
If you eat a lot of foods that are high in acidic content, then be sure to keep a bottle of water on hand. Acid actually eats away at your teeth, particularly your teeth enamel, making your teeth much more prone to stains. So, if you’re eating oranges or mandarins, then be sure to hang a good gulp of water afterwards. This is also just as applicable to soft drinks, energy drinks, and even tea and coffee. Water is the great neutralizer.
5. Rinse Your Mouth Out With Apple Cider Vinegar
As odd as it may seem, this really does work. While it obviously will never be as effective as professional Teeth Whitening, it can be a natural alternative to help you maintain a whiter, brighter smile. It is best to rinse your mouth out with one part apple cider, to two parts water, rather than straight cider. Just pop the solution in your mouth and swish it around for approximately one to two minutes.
Habits to Break for Whiter Teeth
1. Never Use Baking Soda
The use of baking soda to whiten your teeth is an old wives’ tale. Please, do yourself a favour, and abstain from its use at all costs. While baking soda might work wonders as a cleaning and whitening agent around the home (on surfaces such as bathroom and kitchen tiles), it is not suitable for your teeth. Baking soda is abrasive. That means that while it will help remove stains from your teeth, it will erode your tooth enamel at the same time.
2. Avoid Eating Darkly Coloured Foods
If you really want to keep your teeth as white as white can be, then avoid food and drinks that are high in pigmentation, and therefore likely to stain your teeth. Foods high in pigment include things like red wine, blueberries, and some deep red sauces. Although, keep in mind that some foods with high pigmentation levels (like blueberries) are very good for your health. Sometimes health outweighs cosmetics.
3. Stop Guzzling Energy Drinks, Sports Drinks and Soft Drinks
The acids contained in energy drinks, sports drinks and soft drinks have the same eroding effects as baking soda. And, when you guzzle down your sweet treats, your teeth are bathed in the acidic liquid for quite some time. If you really need a caffeine burst, then try drinking this fizzy delights through a straw. This will help to protect your teeth somewhat.
If you think you might need some more heavy-duty, professional treatment, then be sure to take a look at our professional teeth whitening services.