Stained teeth may detract from your best qualities and cause a lack in self-esteem.
There are many reasons why teeth become stained:
- ageing
- drinking coffee, tea or red wine
- smoking
- old restorations
- previous root canal treatment
- consuming refined sugars and acidic foods and beverages
- acid reflux
- tooth grinding
- antibiotic use mouth-breathing
- dry mouth
Here are six things you can do for to whiten your teeth!
- Avoid foods and habits that expose the teeth to damage.
For example, the acidity in lemon water makes it terrible for your teeth; tooth wear is caused by the acidity of the lemon which erodes the enamel of the teeth, making it more prone to stains.
Some foods will stain your teeth more than others – coffee, tea and wine are the big badies. You may also be surprised to find out that green tea is more likely to stain teeth than black tea, as it has the highest levels of tannins.
And it’s not just what you eat but how often you eat, because the more time food is in your mouth, the longer bacteria has to convert the food into acid, which causes decay.
- Consume food high in vitamins and minerals
If your diet is low in certain nutrients, you may be more susceptible to mouth infections and this can contribute to periodontal (gum) disease.
Your diet should include food from all four of the basic food groups:
- Fruits and vegetables;
- Breads and cereals;
- Milk and dairy products;
- Meat, fish and eggs.
- Choose smart snacks
Avoid soft, sweet, sticky foods, such as cakes, lollies and dried fruits. These cling to your teeth and promote tooth decay.
Instead, choose nuts, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese, popcorn and sugarless gum or lollies.
- Drink tap water
Drinking fluoridated tap water will directly benefit the teeth of even the youngest person in the family.
Drink tap water frequently, in place of bottled water where possible, for the added benefit of the fluoride.
Rinsing with or drinking tap water after sugary snacks is also helpful.
- Practice good oral hygiene
The importance of an effective oral hygiene routine cannot be overemphasised. Everyone over the age of three should be brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Those with adult teeth should be flossing at least once a day. Regular professional cleaning appointments will keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- Have your teeth professionally whitened
Tooth whitening is a bleaching process that can safely lighten the teeth, giving you a brighter, whiter smile.
At Shire Dental Centre, we can provide you with at home or in surgery whitening so you can achieve the captivating smile you have always wanted.
The highly successful and very popular in-chair whitening system can lighten your smile by as much as eight shades in a single 90 minute appointment. With the at home whitening, your desired shade may take between 10 – 12 days to achieve.
For more information on tooth whitening, click here.
