We all know that you should brush your teeth morning and night with a good fluoride toothpaste, floss regularly and avoid certain foods to keep our teeth and gums healthy. What else can we do to keep our teeth white and and our mouths healthy? Here are some top tips and good advice on keeping your pearly whites white!
Eat a "white" diet
Certain foods are known to stain our teeth more so than others. Foods such as red wine, black coffee and cola drinks will certainly stain your teeth. Drinking excessive amounts of these on their own, or in combination, will inevitably lead to staining. Alongside this, smoking cigarettes is also known to give teeth a yellow look.
Therefore, avoiding such foods and opting to eat and drink "white" foods and drinks may avoid any unnecessary staining and keep your teeth whiter for longer.
Avoid acidic and sugary foods
To keep your teeth healthy, limit acidic foods such as soft drinks and fruit juice in your diet. Avoiding sugary foods is also important to your oral health. Both of these are well known to cause cavities and holes in your teeth and by avoiding them altogether you will dramatically reduce the risk of having to visit your dentist sooner than you would like.
Clean your teeth with food
Eating certain foods can actually clean your teeth! Food such as celery, apples and raw carrots can really help the health of your teeth and eating one of these after your main meal each day will help remove plaque that has built up around your teeth during the day. This can be particularly good if you can't brush your teeth immediately after eating.
Brush your tongue
Using a tongue scraper is a great way of helping keep your mouth fresh and avoiding bad breath. This will also help to remove plaque. Using a tongue scraper daily after brushing can be a great addition to your daily oral hygiene routine.
Change your toothbrush every two to three months
Changing your toothbrush regularly is vital in maintaining healthy white teeth. By doing this you will avoid moving bacteria around your mouth. Also remember to always brush in a circular motion to get rid of all the bacteria and plaque in your mouth, and around your teeth and gums.
Use baking soda
Did you know that baking soda can be used instead of toothpaste? By using baking soda once a week you can whiten your teeth naturally and safely without using any harsh chemicals.
Use a fluoride toothpaste
Using a good fluoride toothpaste can dramatically reduce plaque and tooth decay. Pay particular attention to what the manufacturer says about the toothpaste and whether it will reduce plaque, prevent tooth decay and whiten your teeth. Remember to brush every morning and night without fail.
Remember, attending your dentist for regular checkups is vital to your oral hygiene, but by following the tips and guidance above you are giving yourself an even better chance of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Look after your smile -- it is one of your most important assets.