Nothing lights up a room like a bright white smile. Not only does a happy smile make everyone feel good, but it also gives the person smiling a healthy lift and boosts their confidence.
Smiling improves our mood in part because it is associated with success, happiness, and social acceptance. It also increases our self-esteem and helps promote a more positive mindset that can be both attractive and contagious.
Additionally, smiling triggers the release of endorphins, a naturally occurring hormone in our system that acts as a natural mood enhancer by blocking pain, reducing stress, and delivering feelings of pleasure and euphoria.
However, if you feel your teeth are not as white as they can be, you might not feel confident enough to smile proudly. Suppressing your smile can affect your mood, hurt social settings, and give people the impression that you are unfriendly or miserable.
A great way to improve your smile is by removing extrinsic (surface) tooth stains caused by exposure to highly pigmented foods, beverages, or tobacco. However, many people are leery of whitening solutions that use chemicals. Although in-office tooth whitening treatments are perfectly safe and effective, there are natural methods available.
At-home natural teeth whitening
Here are some ideas on how to whiten your teeth naturally at home.
Use proper brushing techniques
The first technique for keeping teeth as white as possible naturally is to use proper brushing techniques. Simply hold a soft- bristled toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums and gently brush your teeth with short, back-and-forth strokes over the discoloured areas of your teeth or use a circular motion to clean these areas. Although you are focusing on the stains, be sure to cover the entire tooth surface as well.
Follow brushing with flossing to remove particles between your teeth, and brush your tongue to remove any leftover bacteria.
Do not scrub at the stains, as doing so may wear your tooth enamel away, which can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and other oral health issues.
Drink water to wash away stains
Another easy and natural way to keep teeth clean and white is to drink plenty of water, especially after consuming foods or beverages that may stain them.
Water helps wash away harmful acidic bacteria that attach to teeth throughout the day. It also helps reduce unsightly stains that can discolour teeth and support the rebuilding of enamel.
Ensuring you stay hydrated also promotes saliva production, your body’s way of naturally keeping your mouth clean. This prevents dry mouth, which causes bad breath and aids bacteria growth.
Eat food that supports whiter teeth
You can also naturally keep your teeth clean and white by making smart food choices that help prevent staining. Here are some healthy food and beverage items to add to your grocery list:
- Crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples, carrots, and celery that act as natural toothbrushes by scrubbing away plaque and bacteria and promoting saliva production
- Strawberries, watermelon, and grapes which contain malic acid, a naturally occurring enzyme that helps remove stains and discolouration from teeth
- Oranges, lemons, and other citrus fruits high in citric acid that can lift stains and help whiten teeth (eat in moderation as the acid can also wear away at tooth enamel)
- Leafy, fibrous green such as spinach, kale, and cabbage that cause saliva production to clean teeth
- Pineapple, which contains an enzyme called bromelain that can help you naturally whiten your smile and remove plaque from the surface of your teeth
- Nuts and seeds for their high fibre content and ability to help produce saliva that scrubs away plaque and bacteria
- Green teas with polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that can reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth and help prevent staining
- Milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products that contain enamel-strengthening calcium and phosphates to fortify against acids and staining
Foods and beverages that have a high propensity to stain teeth, such as red wine, coffee, black teas, tomato sauce, curry, cola, and dark fruit juice, should be consumed sparingly or avoided altogether. If you do consume them, rinse your mouth with water afterward to minimize the risk of stains.
Other natural whitening methods
There are two other common ways to whiten your teeth naturally. However, we strongly urge moderation when employing them.
Baking soda toothpaste
Due to baking soda’s reputation as a mild abrasive, baking soda toothpaste is a popular whitening option. Baking soda is also alkaline, helping to neutralize acids that can eat away at tooth enamel.
However, using it every time you brush can harm tooth enamel, so limit its use and brush with fluoride toothpaste the rest of the time.
Baking soda toothpaste will not solve deep stains, so if stains are still present after using it, avoid the temptation to brush more aggressively. Doing so will not help whiten your teeth and can wear away at tooth enamel.
Finally, remember that baking soda can be very harsh in its raw form, so never apply it directly to your teeth. For the most desirable results, stick with baking soda toothpaste fortified with fluoride.
Oil pulling
Many people use this natural, organic method involving edible oil, usually coconut, to improve oral health and fight stains. The most common practice is to swish the oil around your mouth for 15 – 20 minutes in the morning on an empty stomach before brushing and then rinse afterward with water.
Although many users claim that oil pulling is effective at teeth whitening, we have been unable to find scientific evidence supporting its efficacy. Most dental professionals recommend brushing with fluoride toothpaste as a more effective method of protecting teeth from stains.
When should you seek professional whitening methods
If you have tried the above bright smile tips and still have problems with tooth stains, make an appointment with Yonge Eglinton Dental. We will discuss your concerns, explain all the benefits of our safe, in-office whitening treatments, and work together with you to create a shiny white smile you will be proud to share with the world.
After all, you deserve to have a beautiful smile – and all the benefits that come with it!
Enjoy a whiter smile with help from the dental experts at Yonge Eglinton Dental in Toronto
Talk to our dental health team when you are ready to optimize your oral health. We will work together to ensure your teeth and gums look great and are as strong and healthy as possible. Make an appointment for an office visit today by calling our office at 416-932-2222 or booking online.
We look forward to seeing you!
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