Smiling is just one of those very positive ways people express their emotions. It indicates pleasure, amusement and most of all happiness. They say that (although I am confused with the exact number of muscle it takes to frown and to grin) smiling is physically less exhausting because large numbers of muscles are being used when we frown and only a small number of muscles to smile.
But would it be so much better if we could smile a very big smile every time because we have healthy white teeth? I mean who wouldn’t want to show off their pearly whites? I remember how often I smile back then after a visit to my dentist for a clean-up because almost all the time I noticed that the dentists were applying something to make the teeth significantly whiter after cleaning it. So it makes me smile more because of that. I feel more confident.
Now how can each one of us make our teeth whiter without going to the dentist every time or does not have the much time or money to do so? Worry no more. I have compiled and researched 10 ways to have a healthy white smile for preventive care. Hope this helps…
1. TRY TO AVOID FOODS AND DRINKS THAT STAINS
In as much as we would want to consume those foods and beverages that stains our teeth, I think it is wiser if we consume it in moderation-that is if having a whiter teeth is our priority. Because SOME of the foods that stain are really healthy, I just could not give it those up that easily. Examples are: black coffee, tea, red wine, dark sodas, cranberry juice, popsicles and slushies (can you believe that?), soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, tomato sauce, blueberry, beets, and curry.
There are three rules that we need to understand:
– If the color of the food or drink is dark even before you put in your mouth, it will probably stain your teeth.
– If the food or drink stains your lips and tongue, it will stain your teeth too. (Like popsicles or candies, slushies, etc.)
– If the food or drink stains your clothes or any other garment, then it will definitely do the same to your teeth.
Then if you must eat the notorious foods and drinks, better brush your teeth right away, gargle with water and chew a sugarless gum if you don’t have the time or if you can’t brush your teeth right away. Another convenient thing to do, eat an apple. It’s nature’s toothbrush. 🙂
2. CHECK YOUR TOOTHBRUSH
Periodically check and dispose of your toothbrushes after 2-3 months of use. Although, you don’t need to wait for 2-3 months to replace them if a sign of wear and tear is already present. There are toothbrushes out there like Oral B that has a blue bristle for indication. Once the blue color fades, it’s time to replace them. You see if we do not change our toothbrushes or the heads of our electronic toothbrushes in that given period, we are already transferring bacteria to our mouths. The proper way of brushing can also contribute to healthy, whiter teeth.
3. CLEAN YOUR TONGUE
Bacteria are one of the major causes of stains in our teeth-so to help lessen the bacteria, it is best if we clean our tongue every morning after we wake up. Tongue scrapper cleans better and is more effective than a regular toothbrush. Daily scrapping of the tongue will also help banish bad breath causing bacteria.
4. EAT FOODS THAT HELPS CLEAN TEETH
These foods are also called “detergent foods”. They help clean our teeth while we eat them. The characteristics of these foods are mostly firm or crisp. Examples are: number one the list-APPLE. Like I said it is nature’s toothbrush, raw carrots, celery and for the movie goers and lovers out there…POPCORN. Yes popcorn can help clean our teeth.
While eating spinach, lettuce, broccoli, prevents stains by creating a film over the teeth that acts like a plaque barrier. Chewing on parsley on the other hand, freshens breath. Then strawberries rubbed directly on the teeth have a gentle cleaning and bleaching properties that helps remove coffee and tea stains.
5. GARGLE WITH APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Finally a mouthwash that is natural. This vinegar helps to remove stains, whiten teeth, and most of all kills bacteria in our mouths and gums. Just gargle in the morning, then brush as usual. I have yet to try this one out. I have been having problems with mouthwashes ever since. I can’t seem to find the perfect one for me. Some made my enamel thinner, while others makes a simple gargle very uncomfortable. The alcohol content in it is just too much. It stings my mouth and tongue literally. I hope this apple cider vinegar delivers.
6. BRUSHING WITH BAKING SODA
This is a real classic right here. I’ve tried this and it works. I used the arm and hammer baking soda not the powder one but the gel type, it looks and feels like a toothpaste but only transparent. Better get one again on my next trip to the grocery.
But did you know also that you can use salt as an alternative to toothpaste? Yes oh yes. But just be sure to spit it out so it doesn’t count as sodium intake.
7. STAY FRESH
How to check your breath to know if it is still ok? Well here’ a tip, lick your palm and smell it while it’s still wet. If you smell something, it’s time for a sugar-free breath mint. Now for a good mouthwash, make sure it is alcohol-free. Most mouthwashes found in the stores have too much alcohol, which can dry out the tissues in your mouth, making them more susceptible to bacteria.
8. DO FLOSS REGULARLY
This practice is more prone to be forgotten. Especially if you are tired or you are in a hurry, most of the time we tend to skip this one out. But of course, we must try to make this a habit really, because obviously enough it is that important. I remembered having heard a comment from one of the actors in the television that said “Floss only the tooth you want to keep” funny but true. Wouldn’t want to lose even a tooth from my (still) complete set of teeth now do I?
9. KNOW THE CRUCIAL TIME FOR BRUSHING
Before we go to bed and when we got up in the morning are the two most crucial times for brushing our teeth. . That’s because saliva (which keeps cavity-causing plaque off teeth) dries up at night, so it’s best to have all plaque cleaned off the teeth before we sleep. It’s also important to brush first thing in the morning to brush off plaque and bacteria (or the famous morning breath!) that may have built up as we slept.
10. A RIGHT LIPCOLOR CAN DO THE TRICK
Now this is more applicable to women. Sorry about that guys. The right lip color depending on the skin’s shade can make it look like we have whiter teeth. The colors to choose from ranges from medium coral to light red. Using a lighter shade can bring out the yellow in the teeth. Experiment on lip colors that not only match your skin perfectly but can also conceal stains to make it look whiter.
There you have the ten simple ways to get that healthy white smile. Try to experiment on other ways that can also be added to the already existing list. Just remember everybody; nothing beats a big (white and healthy) smile every time we greet each other because “A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” Quote from William Arthur Ward.
Smile sincerely and be confident about it every one it can also slash some years off in our looks too. 🙂
