Everybody wants a brighter smile nowadays. It has become a popular trend among celebrities to undergo teeth whitening procedures to achieve the perfect smile.
While teeth whitening is a great option if your teeth are already dull or stained, it’s much better to prevent your teeth from losing their shine in the first place. Luckily, there are plenty of things that you can do in your day-to-day life to keep your teeth bright, shiny, and stain-free.
In this article, we’re going to cover our top tips to help you maintain a bright smile. First, let’s talk about the common causes of dull or stained teeth.
What Causes Teeth to Become Dull and Stained?
There are a number of reasons why your teeth can become dull, darkened, or stained. Some of the most common causes are out of our control, while others are closely associated with the lifestyles that we choose to lead.
Here are some of the most common causes of dullness and staining on the teeth:
- Drinking a lot of coffee, tea, or red wine
- Eating starchy foods, such as pasta or potatoes
- High levels of fluoride in your water supple
- Smoking
- Forgetting to brush your teeth twice a day
- Gum disease
- Mouth infections
- Medications, such as some antibiotics, antihistamines, and antihypertensive drugs
- Radiotherapy or chemotherapy
- Trauma and damage to the teeth
Tooth dullness is also a known age-related issue. Over time, there is natural wear and tear on the teeth, which can lead to dark spots.
How to Brighten Your Smile
Now we’ve looked at what causes black tartar on teeth or how dark spots of staining can occur, let’s cover some of the great things that you can do to brighten your smile. The following top tips will also help to improve your oral health and overall well-being.
1. Brush your teeth twice a day
Most of us know that brushing your teeth twice a day is essential for optimal oral health, yet many people forget to follow this recommendation. While it’s okay to forget about brushing your teeth every once in a while, it should not be a regular occurrence.
When you brush your teeth regularly, it removes any excess bacteria that would otherwise build up and result in plaque. If left untouched, plaque can cause the enamel coating of the teeth to break down. Eventually, this can lead to dullness or the development of dark spots on the teeth.
2. Use mouthwash after brushing your teeth
Mouthwash isn’t as essential as brushing your teeth. However, it’s a great step to include in your daily oral hygiene routine.
Mouthwash has antibacterial properties and destroys unwanted bacteria on your teeth, reducing the risk of plaque build-up. This not only maintains the shiny appearance of your teeth but also lowers the chances of oral health problems like cavities and gum disease.
Swirl a small amount of mouthwash around your wash several times after brushing your teeth each morning for optimal benefits.
3. Avoid foods and drinks that can easily stain the teeth
The caffeine lovers or wine drinkers out there might not like this next tip! Coffee, tea, and red wine are known to stain your teeth over time.
While the odd cup of morning coffee or an evening glass of wine isn’t detrimental, constant consumption of these drinks throughout the day can cause staining of the teeth. When the teeth begin to turn yellow or brown, the staining is often permanent and can only be removed with teeth whitening or other dental procedures.
You can continue drinking these beverages but avoid several cups a day! Drinking through a straw can help to limit the risk of staining.
4. Visit the dentist regularly for check-ups
Regularly visiting the dentist is essential to keep a check on your dental health. Your dentist can check for signs of plaque build-up or enamel breakdown and offer expert advice on how you can maintain a bright smile.
Your dentist can also perform a thorough clean of your teeth if necessary. A full clean of your teeth and gums can help to prevent bacteria or tartar build-up on the teeth. It will also reduce the risk of gingivitis (gum disease).
Ideally, you should visit your dentist for a routine check-up every 6-12 months. Even if you aren’t experiencing any obvious dental health symptoms, there could be an underlying problem that your dentist will be able to spot.
Remember that gum disease can impact the appearance of your smile and the functionality of your teeth. Capturing it before it becomes moderate or severe will minimize any negative impacts on your smile.
