Who doesn’t want a beautifully bright smile? Luckily for us, whiter teeth are more attainable than ever, thanks to professional and at-home whitening treatments. Whether you’re looking for ways to preserve your newly whitened smile or getting ready for a whitening treatment, here are our top 10 secrets on how to make your teeth whiter.
- Don’t over-whiten
Whitening treatments use chemicals to remove stains from your enamel, which means they can also remove the enamel itself if you’re not careful! With no enamel cover, the yellow inner part of your tooth will be more visible. Don’t over-whiten!
- Avoid colourful foods and drinks
Any food that will stain your shirt will also stain your teeth, so be careful when drinking coffee, tea and wine or eating colourful foods such as berries. Cut back on these foods and be sure to rinse with a drink of water after you’ve eaten them.
- Stay hydrated
Speaking of drinking water, make sure you’re doing it throughout the day, not just after eating! Most adults should drink approximately eight cups of water every day to stay hydrated and healthy.
- Keep on top of your oral hygiene
Our most common advice on how to whiten teeth? Step up your daily oral hygiene routine! Brushing and flossing every day will go a long way to improving your smile. Not to mention there’s the added benefit of healthier gums and teeth.
- Don’t brush right after eating
Sound counterintuitive? Think about it. After you’re done eating, bacteria begin to break food down, turning it into acid. If you brush too soon after eating, you can spread the acid and bacteria around your mouth and weaken your enamel. Rinse your mouth with water, then wait 30 minutes and brush.
- Mind your medicine
Did you know that certain medications can actually stain your teeth? If you’ve got stubborn stains, be sure to talk to your dentist to see if your medicine could be the cause.
- Stop smoking
One of the best things you can do for your smile? Stop smoking! Besides being one of the leading causes of gum disease and oral cancer, smoking also leads to chronic bad breath and serious tooth discolouration.
- Use charcoal products in moderation
Just like over-whitening, overusing charcoal products can actually lead to a loss of tooth enamel, making your smile less white. Be sure to follow the instructions on any activated charcoal dental products you use.
- Stimulate that saliva
Saliva is nature’s way of washing off your teeth – so make sure you help it along! Drink plenty of water throughout the day and try to limit snacking in between meals to allow your saliva to work its magic. You can also try chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugar-free candy to stimulate your salivatory glands.
- Invest in quality whitening toothpaste
When used correctly, high-quality whitening toothpaste can help you maintain the beautiful whiteness of your teeth. There are plenty of toothpaste brands that claim to be whitening, so be sure to choose a dentist-approved brand like White Glo for the best results.