They say prevention is better than cure and we agree, especially when it comes to white teeth. While teeth naturally begin to yellow with age, there are several things you can do that will help to slow down the process. Specifically, we recommend you avoid these three things to keep your smile as bright as possible:
1. Darkly Coloured Drinks
Avoiding dark drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine and cola is probably one of the most well-known tips for keeping teeth white. When you sip one of these drinks from a cup, the liquid hits your front teeth before you swallow it which can leave behind stains. There are a few options for those who want to enjoy their favourite beverages without staining their teeth. The first step is to try and find a light coloured alternative. For example, if you normally drink black tea you could switch to an herbal variety, or if you often have a glass of red wine you could trade it for a glass of white. If you aren’t able to find another option or really can’t give up your favourite treat, drinking it through a straw should help to reduce the amount of liquid that hits those front teeth.
2. Smoking
Smoking is another infamous culprit when it comes to yellowing teeth. You have probably seen a package of cigarettes with an image of a smoker’s unattractive smile on the back. It is so important to avoid smoking for your overall health and your smile is just one more part of your body that is negatively affected by smoking cigarettes. Smoking products are made up of a variety of poisonous chemicals which leave behind a sticky residue on the teeth. Stains begin to form with even just one inhalation and continue to build the more often you smoke. The only way to effectively prevent these stains is by completely avoiding all smoking products including cigarettes, pipes and cigars.
3. Sticky/Sugary Foods
You’ve probably been told since you were a child that too much sugar leads to cavities, but did you know it can also discolour your teeth? The same properties of sweets and candy that cause tooth decay can also result in discolouration. When you eat super sweet foods, bacteria in your mouth produce acids in order to break down the simple sugars and these acids erode tooth enamel, making your teeth more yellow as the layer underneath the enamel begins to show through. Sticky or gummy candies only make the problem worse by clinging to your teeth and making it more difficult for saliva to wash them away. If you need a sweet treat, we suggest you stick to pieces of fruit or try chewing a piece of sugarless gum.
A few small changes in your daily habits can really make a difference when it comes to maintaining white teeth. It may be difficult at first, but avoiding the three items mentioned above is an investment in your smile that will definitely pay off!
Illustrations from:
http://www.dpcdsb.org/FCTIP/Events/Candy+Drive+Nov.1-8.htm
http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Nutrition-Vitamins/2010/20100208-JustACouple.htm