Everybody wants to have teeth that are white and free from stains. If you want to whiten your teeth safely then you can follow the strategies discussed below.
Change your diet abruptly, if you have to
Certain foods (and drinks) stain the teeth and if you want to prevent further staining of the teeth then it is best to avoid those food items (and drinks too), explains a leading cosmetic dentist in London. Usually acidic foods and drinks give the teeth a yellowish appearance which looks quite unsightly. The yellowish tinge appears because of wearing out of the natural enamel coating of the teeth. On the other hand drinks that contain high percentage of tannin can always stain your teeth. Such drinks include tea and wine. If you want to avoid further staining of the teeth then it is crucial to limit your consumption of popular beverages like tea, coffee, wine, packaged juices and even dark sodas.
If you do not want your teeth to lose their natural colour and shine then you have to avoid excessive consumption of tea, coffee, soda and citrus. Once in a while if you have any of the drinks or citrus fruits then you should brush the teeth quickly after the consumption. However you should better wait for about half an hour before brushing the teeth after having any particular food or drink which may stain your teeth. Acids present in these foods and drinks are likely to weaken the enamel. If you brush immediately after, then that can damage the enamel coating of your teeth more than anything else warns a dentist who handles teeth whitening cases in London over the years.
In order to get rid of nicotine stains from the teeth you should give up smoking. In fact any other form of tobacco consumption is utmost necessary to make your teeth free from unsightly nicotine stains. Habitual consumption of tobacco also makes you prone to gum disease and tooth decay. Both these conditions may lead to severe complications in your oral health as well as wear out the natural and protective enamel coating of the teeth.
Oil pulling yields results
In easier words, oil pulling means washing the mouth with any edible oil. This is a tried and tested measure to clear away harmful bacteria, leftover food residues and dirt from the mouth. However please note that this procedure is never an alternative to regular brushing and flossing of the teeth. Certain researches indicate regularly washing the mouth with certain types of oil help whitening the teeth, although there are many adverse reports that exist about the procedure too. However the procedure is quite simple, take a mouthful of oil and rinse it gently around the mouth for about 30 seconds. Then simply spit out the oil from the mouth without swallowing it down.
Edible oils that are considered suitable for this home therapy are –
- Sesame oil
- Sunflower oil and
- Coconut oil
Brushing the teeth with baking soda
Baking soda is a common kitchen item found across households. It can clear away stains in a gentle way from the outer surface of the teeth. Some people are little doubtful that the item may prove too harsh on the natural structure of the tooth and can breakdown the outermost enamel coating. One of the best teeth whitening dentists in London assures there is nothing to worry about as baking soda is safe for the teeth and as well as effective in stain removing. Moreover this kitchen item proves a useful tool to combat harmful bacteria in the mouth. As a matter of fact it is also capable to reduce plaque build-ups and prevent decaying of the tooth.
Use of Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is actually a mild bleaching agent and it can whiten extrinsic stains on the teeth. To secure optimal results you can brush the teeth using a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Continue this for about a week brushing twice a day for one to two minutes each time. However you must not continue with this on regular basis as that may have adverse effects on the teeth and the soft tissues of the gums. Long term use of hydrogen peroxide often leads to sensitivity in the teeth.
Certain fruits help whitening the teeth
Both papaya and pineapple are rich in enzymes like papain and bromelain. Both these enzymes are effective whitening stained teeth to a large extent explain dentists working at a renowned teeth whitening clinic in London. However there is no need to rub the teeth directly with the pieces of the fruits. In that case acids present in the fruits may take an adverse toll on the appearance of the teeth.
Properly chewing foods rich in fibre
Certain foods items, mostly vegetables, are rich in fibre content. If you chew these food items properly the acid content in your mouth gets largely neutralised and even the outermost enamel covering of the teeth gets substantial reinforcement. Leafy greens like spinach and even beans facilitate secretion of more saliva in the mouth. This is how acid level in the mouth gets automatically neutralised.
Reasons for the teeth to turn yellow
There are two main causes behind your teeth turning yellow. Those are thinning of the enamel and accumulation of stains.
- Thinning of the enamel
Enamel is the outermost protective coating of the teeth. it protects the deeper structures of the tooth from damages and injuries. By and large the natural enamel coating is almost white. Right below the enamel layer there is a soft tissue called dentin. This dentin is yellowish brownish in appearance. The inner dentin layer shows itself when the outermost enamel coating wears away or becomes thin. What causes the enamel layer to wear away? The reasons are many and include excessive consumption of acidic foods or drinks, the natural process of aging and gum disease. Some people also have a thinner enamel layer compared to the rest.
More about stains
Certain foods and drinks make the teeth more prone to stains, for example coffee and red wine. When you have either of these popular beverages in excess your teeth are likely to develop stains explain dentists working at the famous Smile Clinic London. Certain foods and drinks not only stain the teeth but also wear down the natural enamel coating. Certain medications, habitual smoking or any other form of consuming tobacco are also known to lead to staining of the teeth.
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