By Dr. Normand Bach, Orthodontist.
There’s nothing better than a brilliant, gleaming smile looking back at you in the mirror. However, plenty of us struggle with teeth that are less bright than we’d like. Good thing there are a number of ways that you can naturally brighten your smile. Here are 4 important tips on getting your teeth brighter – and preventing stains and yellowing in the first place.
1. Avoid Things that Stain Your Teeth
An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure, and that’s true for keeping your teeth clean and white. Consuming lots of dark-colored, acidic beverages like coffee and soda can eat away at the enamel of your teeth, and activities like smoking can have a negative impact on not just the color of your teeth but your overall health as well. Cutting back or quitting entirely, or spending more time cleaning your teeth after enjoying these little vices, will go a long way towards keeping your teeth brighter. You’ll probably feel better, too, thanks to cutting down on these substances!
2. Practice Good Dental Hygiene
You knew this was coming – the best way to keep your teeth shiny and white is to make sure you keep them as clean as possible. A minimum of brushing twice every day is your best bet to establish a good baseline, as keeping your teeth and gums clean means limiting the amount of harmful bacteria that can do a number on your pearly whites. Make sure to use a whitening toothpaste recommended by the American Dental Association for the best results, as not all of these products are created equal; toothpastes that aren’t powerful enough are ineffective, and those that are too powerful could actually damage your teeth.
3. Choose Holistic Home Remedies Carefully
It’s tempting to look up holistic home remedies for teeth whitening on the internet, but beware that many of them don’t have any scientific backing. It’s absolutely true that using homemade pastes made from substances like baking soda or activated charcoal can help whiten teeth, and holistic remedies with these all-natural ingredients can and do absolutely work! However, you need to be careful with such remedies, as you do run the risk of damaging your teeth if your home remedy is too abrasive. Meanwhile, the evidence that folk remedies like “oil pulling” or using spices like turmeric are going to help whiten your teeth has been inconclusive so far. While it may not help, there’s no real evidence it could hurt, either. Coconut oil and peppermint leaves are also known for having stain-decreasing properties.
4. Visit Your Dentist
Finally, the best way to whiten your teeth safely is to visit your family dentist. Dental health experts know exactly what you need to do in order to not just whiten your teeth naturally but also how to keep them clean and bright after whitening. Dentists have access to clinical-strength whitening gels that can be applied safely at a dental office under the supervision of a professional, ensuring that you’ll have a fantastic, dazzling smile after just a few sessions. Going to the dentist for advice and help is still the best course of action.
It’s Never Too Late for Brilliant Teeth
If you’re afraid that your smile is just too dim and dull and there’s nothing that can be done to fix it, don’t lose heart; the tips listed above are sure-fire ways to get that gleaming grin back in better shape. Your best resource, though, is always going to be your family dentist, so don’t hesitate to call your local dental office and schedule an appointment to speak to a dental health professional about what can be done. Don’t be afraid to smile anymore – embrace whiter teeth today!
About Dr. Bach:
Dr. Normand Bach received his dental degree from the University of Montreal in 2002, and completed a certificate of multidisciplinary residency at Notre-Dame Hospital in 2003. In 2008, Dr. Bach completed a Master’s Degree of Science and a Certificate in Orthodontics at the University of Montreal. He is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Montreal and is responsible for the undergraduate orthodontic clinic, in addition to maintaining a private practice limited to orthodontics in Montreal. http://orthodontistemontreal.com/