Clean, sparkling teeth are so much a part of that total impact that make you attractive to others. We all know the importance of taking care of the teeth, yet tooth decay is probably as common cold.
Tips to Keep Your Teeth White
Whitening treatments don’t yield permanent results. If you expose
your teeth to foods and beverages that cause staining you may see the whiteness start to fade in as little as 1 month. Those who avoid foods and beverages that stain may be able to wait one year or longer before another whitening treatment or touch-up is needed.
You worked hard to get your teeth white. Here are some tips to help maintain your pearly whites.
* Avoid the consumption of or exposure to products that stain your teeth. If you do choose to consume beverages that stain, consider using a straw so that the liquid bypasses your front teeth.
* Brush or rinse immediately after consuming stain-causing beverages or foods.
* Follow good oral hygiene practices. Brush your teeth at least twice daily and floss at least once daily to remove plaque. Use a whitening toothpaste (once or twice a week only) to remove surface stains and prevent yellowing. Use a regular toothpaste the rest of the time.
* Consider touch-up treatments. Depending on the whitening method used, you may need a touch-up every 6 months or after a year or two. If you smoke or drink lots of stain-causing beverages, you may need a touch up more often.
Tips on Proper Brushing
Dentists say that the minimum time you should spend brushing your teeth is 2 minutes twice a day. Here are some tips on how to brush properly:
* Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle against your gumline. Gently brush from where thetooth and gum meet to the chewing surface in short (about half-a-tooth-wide) strokes. Brushing too hard can cause receding gums, tooth sensitivity, and, over time, loose teeth.
* Use the same method to brush all outside and inside surfaces of your teeth.
* To clean the chewing surfaces of your teeth, use short sweeping strokes, tipping the bristles into the pits and crevices.
* To clean the inside surfaces of your top and bottom front teeth and gums, hold the brush almost vertical. With back and forth motions, bring the front part of the brush over the teeth and gums.
* Using a forward-sweeping motion, gently brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove the decay-causing bacteria that exist in these places.
* Use an egg timer or play a favorite song while brushing your teeth to get used to brushing for a full 2 to 3 minutes. Some electronic toothbrushes have timers that let you know when 2 minutes are up.
Home remedies to keep your teeth white
1. Use baking soda twice a month to help remove any stains buildup.
2. Add a drop of clove oil to the toothpaste and brush.
3. Avoid smoking. This is one of the quickest ways of turning white teeth yellow.
4. Take a teaspoon of lemon juice and a tsp of salt. Make a paste. Apply this on the yellowish tint.
5. Avoid coffee and red wine as much as possible. Both will quickly stain your teeth.
6. Consuming ginger, lemon juice, improve digestion and improves breath.
How to Keep Teeth White Naturally
There are many effective methods of teeth whitening available, but some come with heavy price tags. Here are some steps you can take at home to whiten teeth naturally without breaking the bank.
Things You?ll Need:
* Straw
* Toothbrush
* Lemon Juice
* Salt
* Baking soda
* Hydrogen peroxide
* Strawberries
Step 1:
Limit your consumption of drinks that stain tooth enamel. A few of these include coffee, tea and red wine. If you simply can’t cut back on these beverages, consider drinking them though a straw to limit the amount of liquid that actually comes in contact with teeth.
Step 2:
Brush your teeth immediately after eating, especially if eating foods that stain easily, such as berries.
Step 3:
Rub raw strawberries on your teeth, preferably pureed. There is an enzyme in strawberries that acts as a whitening agent. You’ll want to brush and rinse after applying the strawberries to remove the natural sugars and acids they may leave behind.
Step 4:
Eat crunchy foods that require a lot of chewing such as carrots, celery, broccoli and apples. These foods are abrasive and will remove built up plaque, which dulls the appearance of teeth.
Step 5:
Dip your toothbrush directly into baking soda and brush. The results are worth the lousy taste.
Step 6:
Combine lemon juice and one teaspoon of salt to make a paste-like substance. Brush your teeth and rinse. Again, not so pleasant on the palate, but your teeth will thank you.
Step 7:
Use hydrogen peroxide to brush your teeth. Dip your toothbrush into a small capful of the peroxide and brush as you would with regular toothpaste, being careful not to swallow. Rinse with water.
Tips
Consider using one of the several whitening toothpastes on the market that have all-natural ingredients.
Brushing after every meal and flossing regularly are the first steps in maintaining a healthy smile.
