Over time, your teeth can become stained due to factors such as age, diet, lifestyle habits, and poor oral health practices. Maintaining beautiful, healthy, and clean teeth requires dedication, even if your teeth have not discolored. Maintaining white, clean, and healthy teeth improves oral health and boosts self-esteem. This practice may seem simple, but it can be challenging for some individuals. Maintaining healthy teeth involves more than just brushing them daily. Some of the ways you can use to keep your teeth clean and healthy include:
Using Fluoride Toothpaste
Fluoride is a mineral contained in toothpaste, which prevents cavities and strengthens enamel. It is an essential inclusion in your daily brushing routine, as fluoride remineralizes the enamel. This mineral keeps the teeth healthy and strong by reversing early symptoms of tooth decay.
Fluoride also prevents tooth decay by making your teeth more resistant to acid attacks from the components in your mouth. You will be giving your teeth the best defense against cavities if you use fluoride toothpaste as part of your daily routine.
Ensure you brush your teeth twice a day, as fluoride will have sufficient time to work on your enamel if you brush your teeth in the morning and evening. Try to brush before going to bed and after breakfast for the best results. Consider brushing more often if you snack frequently or drink sugary beverages, but avoid doing so excessively. Excessive brushing can wear down the enamel, which defeats the purpose of fluoride.
There are other ways of enhancing fluoride intake. For example, your dental expert can also book you for fluoride treatments. These treatments provide concentrated doses of fluoride, which can further strengthen your teeth.
Using fluoride toothpaste properly for teeth cleaning can make a big difference to your oral health. Fluoride toothpaste can be used effectively as follows:
- Use the correct quantity of fluoride toothpaste for teeth cleaning — A pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is sufficient for adults. Use only a smear about the size of a grain of rice for children under six years old.
- Brush for the correct period — According to the American Dental Association, you should brush for around two minutes.
- Avoid rinsing your mouth immediately after brushing because rinsing washes away the fluoride before it can fully penetrate the enamel. Spit out the excess toothpaste for best results, but do not rinse with water immediately.
- Select a toothbrush suitable for use with your fluoride toothpaste. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles, as hard bristles can wear down enamel and irritate the gums.
- Pair fluoride toothpaste with professional teeth cleaning — Visit your dental expert at least twice per year for thorough cleanings.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling involves rinsing your mouth with oil to remove bacteria and enhance saliva production. Swish a tablespoon of oil around your mouth every morning. Pull the oil between your teeth and around the mouth for a period that does not exceed 20 minutes. Spit out the oil when you have finished pulling, and the oil is thin and milky. Do not swallow the oil, as it may contain bacteria.
However, oil pulling does not replace brushing and flossing; however, cleaning your mouth with different oils can help make your teeth whiter. Some of the oils that can be used for pulling include sesame oil, coconut oil, and sunflower oil.
Using Teeth Whitening Products
Brushing your teeth more frequently can prevent and remove smoke-related stains. However, toothpaste provides minimal results when seeking to eliminate severe stains. You may need an over-the-counter teeth whitening product, which can include whitening gels and whitening strips. Over-the-counter whitening products can remove stains beneath the surface and enhance the appearance of your teeth. Unfortunately, most of these products are not effective. You require professional teeth whitening to remove discolorations caused by nicotine usage. The dental procedures that can be used include:
- A personalized at-home whitening treatment
- An in-office whitening treatment, or
- A combination of both for stronger stain removal
A professional whitening clears stains, but the results might not last long if you are a smoker. You need several dental visits per year.
Generally, it is recommended to consult your dental expert before using teeth whitening products. Your dentist can determine if the treatment is suitable for you. Whitening can improve the appearance of your smile, but it’s essential to consult your dentist about the potential risks, including gum irritation and tooth sensitivity.
Your dental expert can advise you of alternative treatment, including natural remedies. Adhere to your dentist’s instructions and avoid excessive use of over-the-counter products because they damage your tooth enamel. Additionally, practice good dental hygiene to enhance the effectiveness of your teeth whitening treatments.
Making Regular Dental Visits
Every person wishes that their teeth stay white and beautiful after whitening. Unfortunately, this might not always be the case. Over time, foods, beverages, and lifestyle behaviors like smoking can slowly stain your teeth. Regular dental visits are essential. Your dental expert will monitor the progress of your teeth during the visits and advise you on how to maintain the results. The dentist will also check for any problems, such as sensitivity caused by teeth whitening.
Often, your teeth will lose their white color due to issues such as enamel wear, gum disease, or cavities. It can cause yellowing or discoloration, which teeth whitening treatment cannot remove. With regular dental visits, your dental expert can address any issues early on before they worsen. This can save you from costly and complicated dental work. Your dentist can provide treatment that prevents further damage and keeps your teeth white, healthy, and strong.
It is challenging to remove all tartar and plaque, even with daily brushing and flossing. Your dental expert can remove the buildup and polish your teeth during the visits. The dentist can offer you personalized advice during the visit because every patient has unique lifestyles, dental needs, and preferences. Your dentist will also advise you on the best toothpaste, beverages, and foods, and guide you on how to maintain your teeth.
Quit Smoking
The relationship between smoking and oral health is directly proportional. Cigarette smoke has chemicals like tar and nicotine that can stick to and stain your teeth. Over time, the brownish-yellow coloration known as tobacco staining that forms around your teeth can affect both the enamel and dentin.
Smoking also lowers saliva production. This often reduces the cleansing action in the mouth, leading to further accumulation of stain-causing molecules that adhere to the teeth. It can be challenging to stop smoking in the early stage, and even more challenging if you try to do it without any help. There are higher chances of overcoming smoking if you seek help and make plans. The following are some of the ways you can use to stop smoking:
- Securing support to help you resist the craving
- Engage in physical activities that can help manage your desire for cigarettes and tobacco.
- Replace tobacco with a mint, gum, or a healthy snack
- Find distractions
- Understand what triggers the craving for cigarettes and make plans
- Use the right nicotine replacement therapy
Avoiding smoking and other tobacco products cannot stop further tooth discoloration. It will also not make your teeth white and healthy. Find professional whitening products to clear the existing staining caused by smoke.
Chewing Whitening Gum
Whitening chewing gums are easily accessible in local stores. Chew the gum after eating to dislodge food particles that can stain your teeth. Gums work by stimulating the flow of saliva. The whitening ingredients also coat the teeth, preventing future staining. Teeth whitening treatment can enhance tooth sensitivity, but chewing gum can help alleviate this issue.
The common ingredients in whitening gums include Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate, citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, and titanium dioxide. These ingredients enhance the gum’s abrasiveness, allowing it to remove stains faster.
Titanium dioxide is typically added for its color, but it also serves as an abrasive. Sodium bicarbonate is a mild abrasive that clears stains. Citric acid often makes stains easier to clear because it has erosive ingredients. Understanding these ingredients and how they work can enable you to make informed decisions.
The concept of chewing whitening gum has gained popularity in recent years. The idea combines the benefits of teeth whitening with the pleasure of chewing gum. However, the effectiveness of these gums depends on the ingredients and their formulation. Some gums offer noticeable outcomes, while others provide a lesser whitening impact. The market for whitening gum is extensive, offering a wide range of brands and varieties to choose from.
Drinking Using A Straw
Your teeth may start to lose their luster if you frequently consume beverages like cola, tea, coffee, and red wine, as these substances can stain them. Begin by reducing your intake of these beverages if you want to maintain the brightness of your teeth. You take these beverages using a straw if you are unable to cut down on them.
Drinking acidic and dark-colored beverages using a straw reduces contact with the front teeth, particularly if you put the straw past the front teeth. This will prevent tooth staining. These beverages will coat all your teeth if you sip them from a glass.
Take Foods And Beverages That Keep Your Teeth White And Healthy
Some of the foods and drinks that can keep your teeth white and healthy include:
Drinking A Lot Of Water
Water will naturally wash away the staining agents before they adhere to your tooth enamel. It also neutralizes sugary and acidic drinks, which can wear away your teeth enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to staining. Taking plenty of water also keeps your mouth hydrated and increases saliva production. This leads to proper oral hygiene and reduces the possibility of tooth discoloration.
Nuts And Seeds
Nuts and seeds act as exfoliants on the teeth. The abrasive texture of sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts, and cashews removes stains from teeth. Nuts and seeds also contain calcium that can help strengthen your teeth and bones.
Celery
Celery promotes saliva production because it is a crunchy food. This prevents stains and plaque buildup on your teeth.
Apples
Apples act as a natural abrasive scrub because of their crunchiness. They clean your teeth as you bite into them. They also contain malic acid, which is also found in toothpaste. Malic acid improves saliva generation, which clears and prevents tooth discoloration as you brush your teeth.
Strawberries
Strawberries contain malic acid, a natural ingredient that helps prevent tooth staining. You can eat strawberries in cereals, salads, or desserts.
Pineapples
Pineapples contain bromelain, which acts as a natural stain remover. It breaks up plaque that sticks on the teeth.
Cheese
Cheese contains phosphorus, protein, and calcium that buffer mouth acids. Phosphorus and calcium also play a role in repairing and remineralizing teeth. However, consume low-fat cheese.
Avoid Staining Foods And Beverages
You should avoid the following tooth-staining foods and drinks:
- Soy sauce
- Beetroot
- Berries
- Balsamic vinegar
- Curry
- Tomato-base sauces
- Red wine
- Tea
- Coffee, and
- Cola
Adopt Proper Brushing Techniques
Brushing your teeth twice a day helps eliminate tartar, plaque, bacteria, and staining agents from your teeth before they have a chance to settle in. The following are the tips on how to brush effectively:
- Complement your oral hygiene by using interdental brushes or mouthwash to remove food particles and other staining agents in difficult-to-reach areas.
- Change your usual brushing methods — Most people brush their teeth using the same method consistently. As a result, you can miss certain areas repeatedly.
- Do not brush in a hurry — Brushing should take at least two to three minutes. It is essential to use a timer when brushing your teeth.
- Clean all areas of your teeth and the tongue.
- Brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle — Move the bristles to where your gums and teeth meet. Brush gently in a circular motion, downwards and upwards. Avoid brushing aggressively because it can cause receding gums.
- Brush your teeth using a soft-bristle toothbrush, as it cleans the teeth more effectively. Look for the size and shape that will enable you to reach your rear teeth. Consult your dental expert about the best toothbrush, as there is a wide variety available.
Find A Reputable Dentist Near Me
Keeping your teeth clean and healthy not only enhances their appearance but also makes them last longer. Some proven ways to maintain your oral health include regular brushing and flossing, regular dental visits, using fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash, and seeking professional dental cleanings. The Hawthorne Dentist has a competent team of dentists who can help you maintain clean and healthy teeth. We provide dental services for the whole family including children and adults. Contact us today for dental services you can count on. Call us at 310-775-2557 to speak to one of our dentists.
