Few people would answer no to the question, “Do you want whiter teeth?” We all know brushing helps, and professional teeth whitening can make a huge difference as well. But what about other ways we can achieve whiter teeth on a day-to-day basis?
Avoid the Stainers – Or at Least Rinse After
If you just can’t avoid tooth-staining favorites like coffee, wine and soda, you can at least minimize the impact by rinsing your mouth with water after indulging. It also helps your teeth to drink it all in one sitting versus sipping slowly over the course of an hour.
Chew Sugarless Gum
This may seem like an odd recommendation coming from a dentist, but chewing gum actually stimulates your body’s production of saliva. Saliva is so important to oral health because it helps wash away debris and bacteria. A cleaner mouth means whiter teeth.
Floss
Some patients are surprised to find out that flossing actually helps keep teeth whiter. Staining on the edges of teeth is often resolved once you start flossing on a regular basis. When you don’t floss, plaque and debris can begin to accumulate in between teeth, which can cause discoloration.
Eat These Foods
Did you know there are foods that actually help whiten teeth naturally? According to the AARP, some of these include:
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Celery
- Carrots
- Oranges
- Pineapples
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Milk
Different foods help in different ways. Crunchier fruits and veggies and hard cheeses help remove food particles when we chew them. Dairy products protect against decay thanks to lactic acid, and some fruits and veggies stimulate saliva production, which helps keep teeth cleaner and in turn whiter.
Check Your Medications
Some very commonly used medications can cause teeth staining or dry mouth, working against you in your quest to whiten teeth naturally. Teeth staining can occur after using the medications for long periods of time, so just because you haven’t experienced it yet doesn’t mean you won’t. Also, many medications cause dry mouth, which puts teeth at much higher risk of decay and plaque build-up. Research your medications to see if they cause either of these side effects, and if they do, talk to your doctor about alternatives. There are many medications that can be swapped out for ones with fewer side effects.
If you are looking for dramatically whiter teeth in a short period of time, professional teeth whitening may be the jump start you need. Call us at Arcadia Dental Arts today at (602) 957-9643 to schedule an appointment or to ask any questions about our professional teeth-whitening services.
