Here are 11 helpful tips for keeping your smile bright and your mouth happy.
Modifying your diet can whiten your teeth
If you’re a fan of black tea or red wine – or a smoker – your teeth are going to suffer. Dark foods and beverages stain your teeth which equals a dingy smile. Gravies, dark juice and colas are also hard on your smile. To counter these dark foods, brush right after you eat or drink them. Eating an apple is also a great on-the-go solution to clean your teeth.
Toss your toothbrush regularly
Get yourself in the habit of getting rid of your toothbrush every three months. That includes the head of your electric toothbrush. Bacteria settle into the bristles of your brush over time, and after a couple of months, you are just transferring a bunch of bacteria to your mouth every time you brush. Plus, worn bristles don’t clean your teeth as well. In fact, plan for the year by getting out your calendar now and note every 90 days to change your toothbrush.
Eat foods that scrub
Raw carrots, celery and apples are great foods that naturally scrub your teeth. Eat them at the end of a meal if you know you won’t be able to brush your teeth right after eating. They are great for when you can’t get to your toothbrush and they have the added value of being high in vitamins and fiber.
Use a natural mouthwash like apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a great natural multi-purpose mouthwash. Gargle with it in the morning before your brush. It will help remove stains on your teeth, whiten them, and zap bacteria in your mouth.
Brush your teeth with baking soda once a week
Baking soda will naturally remove stains and make your teeth whiter. Use it the same way you would your toothpaste.
Be a boss of your floss
Less than half of Americans say they floss daily which is a definite oral health mistake for those who don’t floss regularly. It just takes two minutes once a day. To make it easier to get in a daily floss, stash packages in your purse or backpack, in your desk, and next to your bed. That will make it much more difficult to find excuses not to floss.
Switch your gum
If you like gum, then be sure to use sugar-free gum. For an even better result, purchase gum with xylitol, a non-sugar sweetener that has been proven to reduce plaque. Plus, gum produces saliva, which washes away food particles in your mouth and acid from your teeth.
Brush at optimal times to enhance the results
Brush when you first get up in the morning and just before you go to bed at night. Why? Because saliva which is a natural plaque fighter dries up when you sleep, so you should be sure to avoid getting into bed with a mouth full of plaque. When you get up in the morning and brush, your toothbrush will remove any plaque that built up during the night. Plus it will get rid of bacteria, which causes bad breath!
Twice a day keeps the dentist away
Spend two minutes twice a day brushing your teeth and you are almost guaranteed to reduce the bad news (cavities) when you visit your dentist the next time.
Moderate your sugar intake
Bacteria in your mouth love sugar. When sugars aren’t cleaned off your teeth, bacteria feed on them and produce acids. The acids then combine with bacteria, food particles and saliva to form plaque, a sticky film that covers the teeth. Once plaque forms, the acids wear away the enamel, which is the tooth’s hard outer surface. These tiny openings in the enamel represent the first stage of cavities. So cut down on your sugar intake. Swap water for soda, or sugar-free gum for your regular gum.
See your dentist regularly
Twice a year is how often you should be seeing your dentist. Book a dental hygiene appointment every six months for a professional cleaning of your teeth and gums. Plus, your dentist will take a thorough look in your mouth and spot any potential issues before they become full-blown emergencies.
Sources: Delta Dental, Colgate, WebMD, Stealth Health/Reader’s Digest