It’s that time of year where millions once again start dreaming of a white Christmas. However, the meaning of a ‘white Christmas’ isn’t the same for everyone. For some, there’s nothing more important than working towards a brighter and whiter smile for the festive season. In which case, a selection of natural teeth whitening tips from the experts could help.
Contrary to popular belief, not all teeth whitening tips involve the use of expensive and potentially harmful products. In fact, some of the most effective teeth whitening tips of all are primarily about simple lifestyle changes. In addition, it’s worth remembering that the key to getting and holding onto a whiter smile lies in preventative medicine.
Of course, picking up one of the best teeth whitening kits available is also a good idea. Particularly if you’d like a quick and easy transformation, a quality teeth whitening kit is the way to go.
Other than this, however, there’s plenty you can be doing (and should be doing) on a daily basis to contribute to the cause. So, with this in mind, here are 10 all-natural teeth whitening tips for a whiter Christmas, provided by established dentists across the UK:
1) Eat More Strawberries
OK, so the fact that strawberry season is long gone could make this trickier than usual. However, the supposed connection between strawberries and whiter teeth is as real as it gets. This is because strawberries contain a relatively elevated level of malic acid – an effective whitener. That said, strawberries also contain the kinds of fruit acids that can damage teeth with prolonged exposure. The key, therefore, lies in ensuring you don’t keep the strawberries on your teeth for too long. And really – what better excuse to indulge?
2) Eat More Raw Fruits and Veg
This is one of the oldest and most effective teeth whitening tips of all time. Basically, the vast majority of crunchy fruits and vegetables work in a similar way to a natural toothbrush. Examples of which include apples, raw carrots, celery and so on – all of which are great for keeping your teeth clean throughout the day. Some dentists even recommend chomping down on popcorn to get the job done. All great for keeping your teeth nice and clean while getting some goodness into your body as a bonus.
3) Chow Down on Cheese
Hard to believe it may be, but it’s nonetheless true to say that cheese is also a good natural teeth whitener. This is because cheese contains a variety of compounds that effectively neutralise acids, protecting the enamel coating of the teeth and helping prevent stains. It’s not necessarily a good idea to get carried away, given how cheese is also loaded with fat and (usually) salt. Nevertheless, it’s another good reason to indulge from time to time, without feeling too bad about it.
4) Avoid Anything Dark
This is a favourite among professional teeth whitening tips – always remember that anything that will stain a white tee shirt will also stain teeth. This is true of practically all dark foods and drinks across the board. Hence, it’s worth considering the extent to which your dietary choices could stain your clothes, in order to understand how they might stain your teeth.
5) Favour Whiter Foods
At the opposite end of the spectrum, dentists often suggest eating whiter foods where possible. Examples of which include fish, rice and chicken – all of which lack the stain-producing pigments of foods like blueberries and beetroot. Processed foods in general also tend to contain a wide variety of staining compounds.
6) Chew Gum More
Unless you get carried away, there’s really no such thing as chewing too much gum. This is because when you chew sugar-free gum, your mouth is encouraged to produce more saliva. In turn, this saliva protects the mouth from a wide variety of attacks, while also helping to keep the teeth clean. In addition, chewing gum helps physically keep the teeth clean by removing residual debris and general nasties.
7) Quit Rinsing
One of the most important teeth whitening tips is also a crucial all-round oral health tip. According to dentists, the vast majority of people are still rinsing their mounts with water after brushing, unnecessarily. When you rinse your mouth after brushing, you rinse away all the beneficial compounds like fluoride from the toothpaste. Instead, therefore, it’s far better to simply spit, rather than rinse away all the good stuff.
8) Give Baking Soda a Try
One of the many teeth whitening tips that are as old as the hills, baking soda can be effective when used strategically. Rather than going nuts with a wild and wacky homemade product, it’s simply a case of adding a pinch of baking soda to your usual toothpaste. The lightly abrasive action of the baking soda can be great for both removing surface stains and preventing further stains from appearing on the teeth.
9) Step Up to Electric
If dentists had their own way, everyone would already be using a quality electric toothbrush. Clinically proven to clean teeth and gums exponentially more effectively than a manual brush, an electric toothbrush can also do a great job where teeth whitening is concerned. It’s simply impossible to replicate the cleaning action of an electric toothbrush with a traditional brush. In addition, the best electric toothbrushes on the market also make it impossible to exert too much pressure on your teeth. This prevents the kind of damage that can lead to staining and discolouration.
10) Start Flossing More Often
Last but not least, the time really has come to stop looking at flossing as something of an optional extra. If you really want the confidence of a whiter smile, you also need to think about the gaps between your teeth. Simple everyday flossing is one of the most important and effective teeth whitening tips of all. By flossing regularly, you’ll ensure your teeth are protected from stains across their entire surface area. In addition, you’ll also be at a significantly lower risk of tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath.
