Nobody likes the effects of aging. The beauty industry makes millions of dollars off of products that are in one way or another designed to reverse the aging process.
One of the first visible effects of aging is yellow teeth. When enamel wears off of teeth, they turn yellow. Having a white smile can make you look younger and give you more confidence. There are a few things that you can do to maintain a white smile as you get older.
Get Regular Dental Care
One of the easiest and least expensive things you can do to maintain a white smile is to have regular dental cleanings and exams. An X-ray can reveal if you need to have a tooth replaced or if you need a cavity filled. Regular professional cleanings will also help to maintain the whiteness of your teeth. A dental hygienist will use a special tool to scrape the plaque off your teeth.
Look for a dentist in Plainview who has great reviews, takes your insurance, and uses all of the latest technology.
Use a Top Quality Toothbrush
If you look in the toothbrush aisle of your local drugstore, you may notice that they have a wide range of prices. You probably wondered what the difference could be. There are a few characteristics of a high-quality brush that you should look for.
Low Abrasion
The bristles on a toothbrush should be round around the edges. This helps to avoid abrasion. If the bristles are square at the edges, it may cause your gums to bleed. A soft-bristled brush will also cut down on abrasion.
ADA Approval
The American Dental Association is a professional organization of dentists that monitors dental practices and dental equipment. You should look for their seal of approval whenever you buy a toothbrush. A toothbrush will often end up in a dollar store if it does not have this approval. If a toothbrush does not have the approval, it is often because it does not really function the way it is supposed to.
Electric Power
An electric toothbrush is the best option for most people. Although they are costly, they are very effective. The round brushes scrub your teeth much better than you ever could on your own. Using this type of brush is similar to having a professional cleaning.
Watch What You Eat and Drink
There are certain foods you should avoid if you want to keep your teeth looking young and healthy. You probably already know that sugar can build up and damage your teeth. Coffee and tea can give you a dingy smile. However, there are a few foods that you probably are not aware are bad for your teeth.
Although they may not contain sugar, sugar-free sodas are very bad for your teeth. Any soda contains acid and acid can wear away at your teeth. If a beverage has a low PH balance, it can cause damage to the teeth.
Fruit can also be bad for your teeth. Fruits have both acids and sugars in them. Your teeth do not react to natural sugar any differently than they would react to refined or natural cane sugar. The acid in fruits can wear down and even soften the enamel on your teeth. Enamel protects the teeth and prevents them from decaying.
Fruit is good for you, but it is important to rinse out your mouth and brush your teeth after you have eaten it. It is also a good idea to stick to fruits that are lower in sugar such as blackberries.
Starchy foods are surprisingly bad for your teeth. When we chew carbohydrates like bread or pasta, they break down and become sugar. Sugar enables bacteria to form, breaking down the enamel of the teeth and giving you a dingy smile.
You may have heard that drinking a glass of wine a day is good for your health. Unfortunately, wine can also stain your teeth. It does not matter if it is red or white. It has a specific kind of acid in it that can give your teeth a yellowish appearance. It is best to limit your consumption to an occasional glass.
Get a Professional Whitening Treatment
You may be reading this article and wondering what to do if your teeth are already starting to look yellow and dingy. You can’t turn back the hand of time, but there are whitening products out there that can restore the original color of your teeth.
It is best to go to a dentist to have a professional whitening. Whitening toothpaste does not stay on your teeth long enough to have a lasting effect. White strips are not fit to your teeth, so you may end up with a bit of yellow around the edges.
When strips are not fitted to your teeth properly, the bleach can also get into your gums and this can cause infection.
Professionals have a few different ways of whitening your teeth. You can visit the dentist and have them make a mold of your teeth. The dentist will create whitening trays based on this mold. You will fill the mold with dental bleach and wear it at home.
They can also whiten your teeth with a laser. You will visit the dentist’s office and they will put a bleaching solution on your teeth and shine a laser on them. It is one of the fastest ways to get dramatically whiter teeth very quickly. It is also the most expensive way to get your teeth whitened.
Whitening products can make your teeth look significantly better. You should be aware that professional whitening is not inexpensive and is unlikely to be covered by insurance. However, it will last for a long time and look great.
Having a sparkling smile can make you feel fantastic. With regular dental care and the occasional whitening treatment, your teeth can stay white and young looking as you get older.
Published by HOLR Magazine.