NATURAL TIPS TO MAINTAIN  HEALTHY WHITE TEETH!

15 Apr NATURAL TIPS TO MAINTAIN  HEALTHY WHITE TEETH!

Maintaining healthy white teeth does not only guarantee your oral hygiene and safety. It also helps to boost your appearance and in turn, your self confidence.

What causes yellow teeth?

Multiple factors can contribute towards your teeth becoming dull, causing them to lose their bright and white sparkle. Certain substances such as palm oil, coffee, red wine can stain your enamel, which is the outermost layer of your teeth. Additionally, build up of plaque on your teeth can cause them to look yellow. In some cases, Erosion of the enamel exposes the layer of the teeth beneath, known as the dentine which is naturally yellow, causing your teeth to look discolored.

Below are some simple tips to help your teeth look whiter:

1. Limit staining foods and beverages

While your teeth can naturally become yellow as you age, some things can help prevent stains on your teeth. Coffee, red wine, Palm oil etc. are capable of staining your teeth. This doesn’t mean you have to completely avoid them, but you should limit the amount of time these substances are in contact with your teeth. It is advisable to drink beverages known to stain teeth out of a straw to prevent direct contact with your teeth.

If you want whiter teeth, cut back on your sugar intake. A diet high in sugar supports the growth of Streptococcus mutans, the primary type of bacteria that causes plaque and gingivitis.

Brushing your teeth soon after consuming one of these foods or beverages helps in limiting their effects on the color of your teeth.

Additionally, avoid smoking and chewing tobacco, as both can also cause tooth discoloration.

2.   Eat Calcium-Rich foods

Calcium rich foods such as milk, cheese and broccoli, may help protect your teeth from yellowing. calcium strengthens your enamel and prevents its erosion.

3.   Regular brushing and flossing

Tooth discolouration sometimes results from plaque build up. Hence, regularly blushing and flossing can help teeth stay white by reducing bacteria in your mouth and preventing the build up of plaque.

Toothpaste gently rubs out stains on your teeth, and flossing removes bacteria that lead to plaque.

This helps your teeth stay clean and white.

4.   Eat fruits and vegetables

A diet high in fruits and vegetables is good for both your body and your teeth. Certain fruits have properties that help whiten teeth. Regularly consuming raw fruits and vegetables help to rub off plaque and keep your teeth looking bright.

While they’re no substitute for brushing, crunchy, raw fruits and vegetables can help rub plaque away as you chew.

5.   Practice oil pulling

The practice involves swishing oil around in your mouth to remove bacteria which can turn into plaque and cause your teeth to look yellow. Coconut oil is a popular choice because it has a pleasant taste and offers many health benefits

Coconut oil pulling involves swishing oil in your mouth for 15–20 minutes to remove bacteria. Practicing this daily can reduce plaque and may brighten your teeth.

6.   Brush with baking soda

Baking soda has natural whitening properties, which is why it’s a popular ingredient in commercial toothpaste. Brushingwith a paste made with baking soda and water can help reduce bacteria in your mouth and buff away surface stains.

To use this remedy, mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water and brush your teeth with the paste. You can do this a few times per week.

7.   Use hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent and can kill bacteria in your mouth. You can use1 part of  a low 3% concentration diluted with 2 parts of water as a mouthwash or mix it with baking soda to form a whitening toothpaste.

8. Use Apple Cider Vinegar                                                                                                                                                                           

This has been used for centuries as a disinfectant and natural cleaning product. Using it as a mouthwash, dilute it with water and swish it around in your mouth for several minutes. Make sure to rinse your mouth with plain water afterward.

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties that may help whiten your teeth. However, the overuse of vinegar can also erode your tooth enamel, so limit its use to a few times per week.