Nothing boosts your confidence like a bright healthy smile. And the good news is there are lots of things you can do right at home to give you the smile you are after. Here are 7 tips for a brighter smile.
1. Stay Away from Red Wine and Coffee
Food and drinks that are dark in colour will not only stain your carpet, they can also stain your teeth.
Red wine, coffee and coloured drinks can leave a residue behind and dull your pearly whites. One way to get around it is to limit the amount of red wine and coffee you consume and if you do partake, be sure to rinse your teeth immediately with water after drinking. This will rinse away the residue before it can leave a stain.
2. Ditch That Smoking Habit
If you are a smoker, it is very difficult to keep your teeth bright and healthy. To get a bright white smile, the best thing to do is to quit smoking. Nicotine and tar from your cigarettes are absorbed into the pores of your teeth, turning them yellow.
Often tobacco stains are difficult to remove because they occur over years of smoking and nicotine stains both the surface enamel and the inner layer of dentin. Smoking not only stains your teeth but also contributes to bad breath and puts you at higher risk for oral cancers and gum disease. So do your teeth and gums a favour and quit smoking.
3. Get To Your Dentist Every 6 Months
Your 6-month dental visit ensures that your oral hygiene is on track and a regular cleaning from your hygienist gets rid of plaque and tartar build-up that can dull your smile. Dr. Pamela Li, a dentist in downtown Ottawa can also advise you on a professional teeth whitening treatment to make your teeth shine.
4. Brush With a Whitening Toothpaste
Your dentist may recommend a whitening toothpaste to help polish your smile Whitening toothpastes can help get rid of surface stains on your teeth from drinking coffee, or red wine but it won’t help with deeper stains beneath the surface. Many brands of whitening toothpaste also contain small amounts of hydrogen peroxide to help whiten your teeth over time.
5. Brush after each meal and floss every day!
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy through regular dental check up at a dental office in Oshawa goes a long way for a brighter smile. Use a fluoride-based toothpaste. It will help strengthen your tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. Also, avoid rinsing your mouth after brushing as this rinses away the benefits of fluoride.
Flossing alone won’t change the colour of your teeth, but it removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth, which makes your whole mouth healthier.
Dentists also recommend brushing at least twice a day and after every meal, if you can manage it. This rinses food particles from your mouth after a meal and prevents plaque and harmful bacteria from building up.
6. Eat Some Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables or Chew on Some Gum!
If you can’t get to your toothbrush after a meal, take a bite of a crunchy apple, or a piece of celery or carrot. The vitamins in the fresh fruits and vegetables will help build strong teeth and bones, and they will also help clean your teeth as you eat them.
Chewing sugar-free gum is also a great way to clean your teeth. As you chew it removes debris from your teeth and it stimulates the production of saliva which can reduce the harm acid and bacteria causes in your mouth and strengthen your tooth enamel.
7. Try Some Bright Red Lipstick
If all else fails, try wearing some bright red lipstick with cool blue undertones. The colour makes your teeth appear whiter next to your lips. Pick a berry or deep red for the most dramatic effect and stay away from yellow-based reds, these tend to make your teeth appear more yellow.