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The Secrets to Whiter Teeth

Having a good smile is one of the key elements for a positive self-image, and also signifies proper oral hygiene and dental health. If you feel that your teeth could be whiter, however, following several easy secrets and tips can help you on your way to a clean and healthy smile.

  1. Avoid Staining Beverages

    • Be mindful of your diet when it comes to your teeth. What you eat and drink can have a great effect on your teeth. For whiter teeth, it is helpful to abstain from drinking cola, black coffee, cranberry juice and tea, as these dark substances all can stain the teeth. After you consume these products, it is important to brush your teeth thoroughly immediately after, to reverse any staining that could have occurred. Drinking through a straw can also help to prevent contact between the teeth and the substances.

    Stop Smoking

    • Smoking is another major culprit when it comes to dark-colored teeth. Apart from stained teeth, smoking can also lead to other bad effects such as halitosis and gum disease. If you quit smoking, your teeth will immediately stop getting increasingly stained in color.

    Teeth Whitening Strips

    • Even if you don't have the money for an expensive teeth whitening procedure at the dentist's office, relatively inexpensive teeth whitening strips can be purchased easily at most drugstores and supermarkets. These strips work to gradually whiten the teeth over a course of about two weeks to a month. It is necessary to apply the strips on a daily basis, for about half an hour at a time.

    Proper Dental Hygiene

    • Good dental hygiene is not only useful for keeping cavities and serious periodontal diseases at bay, but it also works to keep your teeth looking white and fresh. This includes brushing your teeth a minimum of twice every day and also flossing once a day (floss delves deep in between the teeth to get rid of hard-to-reach food particles, plaque and tartar). Try brushing with whitening toothpaste, which aims to dissolve surface stains on the teeth.

    Eat Cleansing Foods

    • At the opposite end of the spectrum from substances such as cola and cranberry juice are foods that work to actually "cleanse" the teeth as you eat them. These foods function similarly to toothpaste in a way, and when you can't brush your teeth, make a suitable substitute. Some examples include fruits and vegetables like apples, celery and raw carrots.

    Homemade Secrets

    • If you rinse and gargle with apple cider vinegar in the morning, it can help to whiten your teeth as the vinegar functions to bleach teeth, destroy oral bacteria and eliminate surface stains. Another easy at-home way to whiten the teeth is by brushing with baking soda every few days or so.

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