White Smile Checklist: 10 Ways to Keeping Your Pearly Whites Bright

White Smile Checklist: 10 Ways to Keeping Your Pearly Whites Bright

Did you Know? Everyday Tips

Your smile is always one of the first things that catches people’s eye. Whiter teeth do not only improve your smile and appearance, but can also increase your confidence and self-esteem greatly – so it’s no wonder that teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetics dentistry options. However, over time, permanent teeth can lose their lustre as a result of diet, genetics and the natural aging process. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to keep your pearly whites nice and illuminated. As your Mississauga family dentist, we have compiled a list of ten different ways to help you in keeping your teeth nice and bright.

1. Have professional hygiene therapy sessions to help clean and remove all of the superficial stains.The first step towards a whiter brighter smile is to make frequent visits to see your dental hygienist. During hygiene therapy sessions, plaque and calculus deposits are removed, which are what is creating the yellow or green coating on the surfaces of your teeth. Your hygienist will use specialized instruments adapted to clean the contours of your mouth and also polish your teeth in order to eliminate the extrinsic brown staining from your teeth.​
2. Use a soft toothbrush and replace it often.Using a soft toothbrush helps to preserve your tooth enamel. If you use a medium or hard-bristled toothbrush, you can potentially wear away the enamel, making it weaker and more susceptible to yellowing over time. It is also important to replace your toothbrush every three months, as toothbrushes can hoard bacteria – which in turn can break down tooth enamel and contribute to bad breath and tooth decay.​
3. Eat crunchy fruits and vegetables.Eating foods with lots of fibre such as celery, apples, and raw carrots help to essentially “scrub” your teeth from particles that can cause cavities and tooth decay. These foods are best consumed as the last part of your meal or snack if you are not able to brush your teeth after eating.​
4. Use mouthwash regularly.Using mouthwash daily helps to kill the odour and bacteria that can advance enamel and tooth decay. Make sure that you choose an alcohol-free mouthwash, as alcohol can dry out the inner tissues of your mouth, which can in turn increase the breeding of bacteria.​
5. Floss daily.I know we’ve heard it all before, however flossing is extremely important to your overall dental health and in maintaining your pearly whites. Your toothbrush is not able to reach every crevice and angle in your mouth and that is where flossing comes in to play. Flossing can get in between the teeth and dislodge the tiny particles that may eventually turn into major issues.​
6. Drink darker beverages through a straw.Coffee, soft drinks, and wine can all stain your teeth over time. The best way to maintain your smile and still be able to enjoy these beverages in moderation is to drink them through a straw. Drinking darker liquids through a straw helps the liquid to bypass your teeth so that you do not stain them.​
7. Moderate consumption of acidic foods.Eating foods with acid, such as orange, lemons, and pickles can wreak havoc on your enamel, making it easier for stains to get in and yellow your teeth. Drink water after consuming acidic foods to help rinse away as much acid as possible. Try to avoid brushing for at least 30 minutes after consuming anything acidic, as acid breaks down the enamel and brushing your teeth right away can actually cause more damage.​
8. Use professional whitening systems and products.Here, at Credit River Dental Centre, we offer whitening methods to best suit your needs in order to help you achieve your whitest smile. Our office provides two teeth whitening treatments – in office, which can be done in under an hour, or take-home treatments, in which custom whitening trays are created for you so you can whiten in the comfort of your own home, at your convenience.​
9. Eat foods with calcium.Eat foods with calcium to help keep your teeth strong. Cheese, dark leafy greens, milk, yogurt, broccoli, and almonds are all great choices to keep your calcium levels high for your optimal teeth health. Vitamin D is also beneficial with the absorption of calcium, therefore consuming both will give your body the tools to keep your teeth strong and resilient.​
10. See your dentist regularly.At Credit River Dental Centre, it is our main goal to help you to achieve your optimal oral health. Schedule regular dental appointments so that we can assess your teeth and formulate a plan for you to achieve all your oral health goals. Our office is committed to providing every patient with a bright and brilliant smile that can completely transform not only their appearance, but their confidence