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Having discoloured teeth can cause many of us to become embarrassed by our smile. Fortunately, there are many ways in which you can make your teeth whiter. Here are just five measures that could help you to achieve whiter teeth.
Brush up on your dental regime
Brushing your teeth morning and night for two minutes at a time can help you to get rid of plaque and debri that could be staining your teeth. An electric toothbrush can often be more effective than a manual toothbrush. You should make sure that you are regularly replacing your toothbrush or brush head – after three or four months, the bristles are likely to get damaged, and you could find that your toothbrush is not as effective. When brushing, angle your brush towards the gums.
Try whitening toothpastes
A number of specialist toothpastes can help to whiten enamels. Some contain hydrogen peroxide, which helps to bleach the teeth. There are also charcoal toothpastes, which may help to remove plaque more easily and lead to better whitening. On top of buying whitening toothpaste products, it’s possible to make your own whitening toothpastes – just be sure to follow recipes that are trusted and safe.
Try oil pulling
Oil pulling involves swishing a tablespoon of oil around the mouth for five minutes. It is believed that this can help to loosen up and remove stain-causing plaque. There are oils on the market specifically for this purpose, however you can just use a household cooking oil such as sunflower oil or coconut oil.
Ask a dentist about whitening procedures
A number of dental surgeries are able to carry out aesthetic dentistry. This is an area of dental work that involves whitening, replacing or realigning the teeth. Veneers is one popular form of tooth whitening treatment that involves placing small plastic or ceramic shells onto the teeth to make them appear whiter. There’s also the option of laser whitening, that involves using a laser to whiten one’s teeth. Certain treatment options may be better suited to certain individuals due to the costs and process involved. By talking to a dentist, you can explore all the possible options.
Cut down on staining culprits
You can also achieve whiter teeth by avoiding common tooth staining culprits. Smoking is one bad habit that can discolour the teeth – by quitting, you could make it easier achieve whiter teeth. Drinks like coffee and red wine are also known to stain the teeth and should be drunk in moderation. Then of course there’s the biggest culprit which is sugar – particularly in soft drinks. Drinking lots of sugar drinks won’t just discolour the teeth but it could also increase the risk of tooth decay. Take steps to cut down on sugary soft drinks by opting for low-sugar and no-sugar alternatives (or by drinking more water instead).