White, healthy teeth can take years off your look. Your teeth tend to darken with age, but there are some tips for keeping them looking their best.
First you must follow good oral hygiene practices. It is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss once a day to remove plaque. An even better practice is to brush after every meal or snack. Use a soft bristled brush to prevent gum erosion, and a whitening toothpaste to remove surface stains and prevent yellowing. Consider using an electric or sonic toothbrush, which may be superior to traditional toothbrushes for removing plaque and surface stains on teeth.
Avoid foods and beverages that stain your teeth, such as coffee, tea, berries, and red wine. Anything that can stain a white shirt can stain teeth. When consuming beverages that stain, use a straw so that the liquid does not pass over your teeth. Eat a healthy diet, and avoid sugar and anything that sticks to your teeth to minimize tooth decay that can discolor and destroy teeth.
Brush or rinse your teeth immediately after consuming meals or staining beverages. Simply rinsing your mouth with water after every meal can have a tremendous impact on reducing staining. Rinsing is particularly crucial after drinking wine, as it has acids that can penetrate the enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to staining.
Avoid smoking, which is one of the worst culprits when it comes to staining teeth. Tobacco causes dark stains that infiltrate the tooth enamel and are hard to remove simply by brushing. The more you smoke, the deeper the stains become making them even harder to remove.
See your dentist regularly for check-ups and thorough teeth cleaning. If you have had whitening treatments, consider touch-up treatments after a year or two. Following these tips, along with preventative care by your dentist, can help your smile remain bright for years to come.
