Everyone wants a white smile. Unfortunately, our teeth naturally lose their brilliance as they age. While you can’t completely prevent the ravages of time, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep your smile as bright as possible.
Eat Right
The foods you regularly eat have a direct effect on your smile’s brightness. To keep it whiter longer, limit liquids and foods that stain, such as tea, coffee and berries. Instead, stick to crunchy vegetable, like carrots and cauliflower, as these trigger saliva production and enamel protection. Crunchy veggies are also hard enough to help scrape away any damaging bacteria hanging around on the teeth as they are chewed.
Brush and Floss Daily
People underestimate just how important good daily hygiene habits are. Currently, dentists recommend brushing twice per day and flossing once per day in order to clean out the gunk that would otherwise stain those pearly whites. It’s a perfect combination where one helps wipe down the exterior while the other goes in for that deep clean.
Whitening
At home, this usually means a daily regimen of strips, gels, mouthwash and toothpaste. The downside is that they cannot match the results of professional whitening. Should you opt for this route, your dentist will know exactly what to do. Patients are then usually told to purchase an approved kit to maintain the shiny new color. A good resource for tips on maintaining the best smile possible can come from your dentist. Dental specialists like those at the Art of Dentistry Institute can help you know how best to manage your oral health.
Illusions
Another way to bring out the bright is to darken the areas around the teeth. Tan skin helps increase smile brightness without the need for any kind of whitening agent. Women who use red lipstick with blue undertones can also achieve the same effect.
Straightening
Even if your teeth are white and free of food, a crooked smile can detract from its natural beauty. Should you have a misalignment or something similar, talk to your dentist about teeth straightening options. If it’s slight, there’s a chance you can skip braces in favor of a less invasive procedure. If not, braces are well worth the investment.
Keeping a bright smile is something anyone can do so long as they take the correct steps to ensure a healthy smile. From purposeful bleaching to simple oral hygiene, each aspect makes the smile brighter in its own way. Put them altogether and you’ll end up with a smile fit for Hollywood.