One of the first things people notice about another person is their smile. As so many people notice smiles, it’s no wonder why we all strive for beautiful, healthy, white teeth. However, many habits seem to ruin the whiteness of teeth including; coffee, wine, smoking, teas, fruit juices, and other dark colored liquids and foods. Here are some natural tips you can do that will help you keep your teeth clean and white.

Eat the Right Foods for Healthy Teeth

While many substances we consume tend to leave darker marks on our teeth and make them lose their white glow, believe it or not, many foods we consume actually whiten teeth. Apples, spinach, broccoli, carrots, celery and lettuce actually remove stains from our teeth making them shinier, whiter and brighter.

Use a Straw For Dark Colored Drinks

If you have adopted some habits that work against white teeth (we are not making any judgments) like drinking red wine, cranberry juice or coffee it is a good idea to use a straw. Rinse your mouth with water after drinking any juice to limit the amount of sugar and substances that could increase bacterial growth.

Floss Daily

Flossing is a great way to keep bacteria growth from destroying your teeth and gums. Certain floss does include whitening agents to help the gums remain pink and healthy. If you start to notice blood when you floss, call our office. Catching gingivitis in an early stage is the best way to limit the risk of having additional problems with gum disease and receding gums. Gum recession can make your teeth look yellow on the bottom near the gums, and it makes your teeth look longer.

Brush for Two Minutes

The amount of time required to brush your teeth effectively is two minutes. How long did it take you to brush your teeth this morning? Was it less than 30 seconds? Best practices include humming your favorite song while you brush your teeth. And don’t stop until each quadrant of your mouth has been brushed for at least 30 seconds, or two minutes total for the entire mouth.

Avoid Alcohol in Mouthwash

Most mouthwashes contain alcohol. Some of them, even too much alcohol can dry the tissue of your mouth making it more vulnerable to bacteria. So, next time you are deciding which mouthwash to choose pick the one that is alcohol free.

Contact Sunset Dental Care to discuss your oral health needs. We do provide a number of teeth whitening options designed to enhance and improve your smile.