A smile can be contagious. It is your invitation card to the world to say you are open to whatever may come your way. There are times when you need extra help to stay in focus – chamomile tea will help you relax, green tea will boost your energy with some extra caffeine. However, those methods to either relax or boost your energy can damage and stain your teeth. Here you can find four tips to look after your most powerful tool.
Avoid foods and drinks that stain your teeth
Firstly, we all need a boosting drink sometimes but by making savvy choices as to which ones you can prevent your teeth becoming too stained. As a rule, darker drinks are more staining, so coffee, coke and black tea are not your friends. Lighter teas such as chamomile, lemon and indeed most herbal teas are much lighter so these are good options. People often ask why does green tea stain your teeth if it’s a herb tea, but the issue with green tea is if it’s stewed for too long it becomes very dark and becomes as staining as black tea. So the answer to ‘does green tea stain your teeth’.
Be sure to brush regularly
Of course the biggest thing when it comes to keeping your teeth pearly white is brushing. Doing so regularly will help keep them sparkling, as well as ensuring you always have fresh breath. Dentists advise brushing at least morning and evening, but ideally you should also brush after eating to remove anything residue from your mouth, followed by flossing that can prevent the build up of bacteria between your teeth.
Chew gum after eating
Another good thing to try if you want to get your teeth white is chewing gum. This works in a number of ways. Firstly the chewing action increases saliva production and saliva is good for breaking down any leftover food in your mouth which could cause stains. Secondly, if you get a gum designed to whiten teeth it can actively improve the colour. For best results eat, brush then chew.
Look after your enamel
Another important thing to think about when it comes to keeping your smile fresh and white is your enamel. This is the top layer of coating over your teeth that makes them look white. If your enamel is weak or damaged it becomes translucent, showing the darker central part of your teeth and so a darker colour. To look after your enamel try to avoid overly acidic foods such as vinegar and lemon juice and choose a toothpaste specifically designed to protect tooth enamel.
That’s everything you need to know when it comes to looking after your teeth. Be sure to avoid anything that might stain them or harm your enamel, brush regularly and consider chewing whitening gum too. You’ll have a bright, white welcoming smile in no time!
