I have always envied those around me who seem to always have perfect smiles without even trying, because I feel like I was born with "bad teeth." While my teeth are in great shape now, it is only because I take great care to visit the dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. While I used to get a lot of cavities, even though I thought I was doing "everything right" to keep them away, I am proud to say that I have been cavity-free for a couple of years now! I put a lot of research into what daily habits can wreak havoc on my teeth, and I thought it would be a shame not to share what has helped me with others who need the advice. I plan to post many oral health tips on my new blog!
If you have unsightly stains on the surfaces of your teeth from drinking acidic beverages, you will most likely want to take some steps in having them disappear from view for good. There are several ways to remove staining from the teeth in the comfort of your own home. Here are a few for you to try.
Use Fruit To Erase
Fruit does not only taste nice and leave you satiated, but it also can be used as a stain eraser. Purchase some strawberries and bananas at your local market to try for stain removal purposes. Use a fork to mash a strawberry or two inside a bowl. When it appears pulpy, tip your head back, open your mouth, and apply the mashed fruit directly to your stained teeth. Leave in place for several minutes while grimacing to keep your lips away from the teeth so the strawberries can work their magic. Spit them out and rinse. The malic acid within these berries will lighten stains naturally. Rub a banana peel across your teeth. The potassium and manganese will help eliminate stains as well.
Make Oral Hygiene Products
In addition to using commercial toothpaste and mouthwash to keep your teeth clean, make some of your own cleansing products to help with whitening. A mixture of baking soda and water will remove stains from the surface of the teeth in just one application. Because of the potency, this method should be limited to a one time a week usage. Brush with the mixture for up to a minute to remove discoloration. Hydrogen peroxide acts as a whitening mouthwash. Use in the same manner as an alcohol-based mouthwash to take away stains instantly.
Use Whitening Products
There are many whitening products on the market that can be purchased to use in your own home. These come in pastes, gels, sticky strips or toothpaste. When using these types of products, it is important to adhere to the instructions on the packaging. Failing to limit the usage can cause the enamel layer of your teeth to wear away when trying to rid the teeth of staining. If this happens, you will have sensitivity issues due to exposed nerve endings in the dentin layer underneath.
See a dentist, like Alegre Dental and Braces, for recommendations on whitening products or procedures that are not harsh to the teeth. You can have your dentist conduct a bleaching session in their office as an alternative to over-the-counter products as well.
Share30 November 2015
