With so many factors impacting the whiteness of teeth, it’s perhaps little wonder that many of us don’t have perfect, sparkling smiles. But don’t panic; there are some things you can do to keep your pearly whites shining or even restore them if they’re looking a little discoloured. In this article, we explain our top tips to help you recreate a smile that you can be truly proud of.
Practice good dental hygiene
With so many products to consider and a range of contrasting advice from dental experts, it’s not easy to know what ‘good dental hygiene’ looks like. To keep things nice and simple for you, here’s what you should aim for:
- Brush your teeth twice a day, either with a manual or electric toothbrush.
- Floss at least once a day.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash after brushing and flossing.
- Visit your dentist once every six months for a checkup.
The above tips are far from radical, but they will help you keep your teeth in tip-top shape when done consistently.
Rinse your mouth after certain drinks
Tea and red wine are two of the biggest culprits for staining your teeth. While you don’t need to eliminate them from your diet, rinsing your mouth with water immediately after drinking will prevent the compounds within each beverage from staining your enamel. This is a super helpful habit to get into, and if you’re a big tea drinker, you will see huge results by taking this simple step.
Limit your sugar intake
Excess sugar isn’t just bad for your teeth; it can lead to a range of health conditions, including Type 2 Diabetes. But eating too much sugar can also cause your teeth to discolour as a result of the plaque that builds up in and around your gums. While you don’t have to completely eliminate sugar from your diet, stop taking a spoonful in your coffee and try and cut back on sugary sodas and sweets. Not only will your teeth feel much healthier, but your overall health and wellbeing are likely to improve, too.
Stop smoking
One of the primary causes of teeth discolouration is smoking. Nicotine is what causes your teeth to stain, and it often causes irreparable damage to your enamel. While there are a whole host of reasons why you should stop smoking, kicking the habit for the sake of your teeth is a good place to begin and will help you feel better about yourself.
Visit a dental hygienist
While it’s important to visit the dentist a couple of times each year, scheduling an appointment with a dental hygienist in between your regular dental checkups can have a hugely positive impact on the brightness of your teeth. A dental hygienist advises you on how best to look after your teeth, offering advice when it comes to general dental care and recommending the best products for your teeth. If you’ve never met with a dental hygienist, now is a great time to schedule your first appointment.
Consider teeth whitening
If you’re concerned that your teeth are particularly discoloured, teeth whitening might be the best solution for you. At London City Smiles, we follow the award-winning Enlighten tooth whitening system to ensure your pearly whites sparkle once again. You can book an appointment online or feel free to give us a call on 020 7837 2300 if you have any questions about how our teeth whitening treatment works.
