Seven Ways to Make your Teeth Whiter
No one wants yellow teeth. Stained teeth can reduce self-confidence and can make person look older as it’s a common sign of aging. It is possible to prevent and rectify yellowed teeth.
#1 Reduce Consumption of Staining Foods and Drinks
Prevention is better than cure as the saying goes. There are foods and drinks that are more likely to stain teeth than others. Limiting your consumption of cola soft drinks, black tea, coffee, sports drinks, fruit juice and red wine can reduce stains. Drinking cola through a straw reduces the amount of liquid that coats and stains the teeth. Some foods eaten regularly enough can cause stains. Tomato-based sauces, curry, balsamic vinegar, beetroot, berries and soy sauce are staining foods and should be limited if you’re concerned about the shade of your pearly whites.
#2 Veneers
Teeth whitening has its limits. If you want your teeth to look any brighter than the whitening option can offer, then veneers may be the best option. Veneers are a thin ceramic cover that fits over the natural tooth. Veneers may be used to make the tooth whiter and change the shape of teeth.
#3 Teeth Whitening Treatment
Teeth whitening treatments are the most obvious way to whiten teeth. There are several whitening options including over-the-counter whitening products, take-home products from the dentist and in-surgery treatments performed by a dentist or prosthodontist. Active agents are usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. As the active ingredient breaks down, oxygen gets into the enamel removing stains. Most teeth whitening processes will whiten your teeth several shades above their current shade with dentist treatments achieving the best results because they contain a higher percentage of peroxide. Some professional treatments involve a laser or light to activate the whitening product.
#4 Eat Foods That Keep Teeth White After Treatment
Luckily, there are several foods that can help keep teeth white. Mother nature’s teeth whitening foods include crunchy fruit and vegetables including apples, carrots, celery as they scrub the tooth’s surface while chewing.
Watermelon contains malic acid which promotes saliva production and can lighten your teeth. Strawberries also contain malic acid, at lower levels than watermelon. Pineapples contain an enzyme, bromelain, which has been found effective at removing stains when used in toothpaste.
Milk contains a protein, casein, that prevents staining. Cheese and yoghurt contain casein and lactic acid which also reduces stains.
#5 Chewing Gum
By chewing gum that contains xylitol can help stimulate the level of saliva in the mouth which cleanses the mouth and reduces the level of bacteria. High saliva levels keep the mouth naturally clean.
#6 Whitening Toothpaste
Using a toothpaste with bleaching or abrasive agents twice a day can improve the shade of teeth. The active ingredients of commercial whitening toothpastes include baking soda, silica, pyrophosphates, hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. The ingredients can have side effects on the tooth enamel and soft tissue in the mouth causing irritation, ulcers and circumoral dermatitis in some users. Herbal-based whitening toothpastes have increased in popularity due to them having fewer side effects.
#7 Improved Dental Hygiene
Brushing and flossing your teeth daily can reduce the chance of yellowed teeth. Plaque build-up not only leads to increased bacteria and decay but also reduces the brightness of teeth. Be careful not to brush too vigorously though as firm brushing can wear away the tooth enamel revealing the dentin underneath which is more yellow in colour than the enamel.
Call Western Prosthodontic Centre on 9321 1632 or contact us online if you’re looking for an experienced prosthodontist.