By Arthur Kezian
You may have the straightest teeth in the world. But, if they’re marred by yellow or brown stains, you will never have a truly perfect smile.
It’s easier than you think to wind up with dull-colored teeth. Your morning coffee and tea, your evening red wine, and your late-night cigarettes are all discoloring your teeth. Because it’s such a common problem, teeth whitening is a very common solution.
So, how do you get the best whitening results? Follow these 6 tips:
1. Brush the right way
If you don’t brush your teeth long enough, all of that bacteria will never leave your mouth – leaving your teeth yellow or brown. If you want a whiter smile, you need to brush them twice a day, for about 3 minutes each time.
And, make sure that the bristles on your toothbrush aren’t too hard. If they are, it can damage your enamel – the coating that keeps dark food and drink from settling into your teeth.
2. When you can’t brush, take other measures
If you head out to eat, you obviously can’t take a toothbrush with you. Instead, chew some sugar-free gum. Chewing stimulates your saliva production, which, in turn, will wash off the stains on your teeth.
3. Stay away from sweets
They might taste good, but they can cause sensitivity during whitening. If you want to munch on something, pick some vegetables and fruits instead.
4. Choose the right toothpaste
The fluoride in your toothpaste will strengthen you enamel and keep your teeth whiter and brighter.
5. Visit your dentist twice a year
Aside from giving you routine cleanings that go beyond what you can do at home with your toothbrush, your dentist can also give you some expert tips and procedures to make your teeth whiter. In fact, if you want results that work, teeth whitening can only be done at a dentist’s office.
6. Avoid other solutions for whitening
Those whitening strips and solutions can irritate your gums – which can make your teeth look and feel even worse.
-N.S.
