1. Go to the dentist! This step can’t be skipped for white teeth. It is the foundation for your white teeth, because you need a healthy smile before it can be a beautiful smile. You should schedule and attend appointments at least once, ideally 2-3 times per year.
2. Establish good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day will be of the utmost importance. If going to the dentist is the foundation, then the cornerstone is at home oral hygiene habits. Floss before bed to keep particles between your teeth from causing stains.
3. Drink plenty of water. I have been told this rule since I was a young child. Your body will thank you for keeping it nourished with the water it needs. When I was four, I was visiting my grandparents, and right before bedtime my grandpa asked if I had drank 8 glasses of water that day. I told him I only drank three, and he told me all the benefits of drinking 8 glasses of water per day, including that it makes your teeth healthy. He stood there, lecturing me about my health, until I drank the remaining five glasses for the day and then he put me to bed. Let’s just say the four year with way too much water before bedtime had his payback the next morning. But the lesson certainly stuck with me until today. The benefits for your teeth is that it keeps your mouth cleaner and washes down any particles.
4. Quit Smoking/Chewing. Easier said than done, I know. Been there before and would rather not have to do it again. But smoking and chewing are major stain causes. I quit, and my teeth grew much whiter.
5. The Culprit might Very well be your morning cup of tea or coffee. Wine, cola, tea, coffee; these guys are also on the list of the big stain causes. Rinse afterwards, or sip some water while you drink these beverages.
6. Try some natural teeth whiteners. These include strawberries, which contain an enzyme to whiten teeth. Otherwise, try gurgling with salt and lemon juice, or perhaps eat more crunchy fruits and veggies.
7. Dark juices in beets, blackberries, and blueberries can cause teeth discoloration. However, I do enjoy a handful of fresh blackberries fresh from the bush, so I just brush soon afterwards.
8. Avoid most mouthwashes, unless they state that they don’t cause stains, like Listerine’s whitening mouthwash.
9. Baking soda is great! It deodorizes your sleeping bag after a wet camp out, it helps cakes to rise, and it is also a very effective tooth whitener. So much so, that it’s now an ingredient in many toothpastes.
10.At home whiteners make it easier and less expensive to get a beautiful smile. Take a look at some of the better pens, strips, or trays and gels. It will save time and money over going to the dentist and having him or her whiten your teeth.
