Daily Cleaning Habits
Brush your teeth at least twice a day. It’s not like you didn’t already know this. Your dentist probably still tells you this every time you have a check-up, but some people still need reminding. It’s not a bad idea to brush after every meal if you have the chance. Flossing is also a necessity as it cleans out all of the leftover gunk that your toothbrush missed (but I’m sure you already knew that too). If you’re into mouthwash, pick one that has whitening benefits.
At-Home Whitening Products
These days there are endless over-the-counter whitening agents at all kinds of prices. The most popular methods are strips and gels. These also vary from overnight treatments to quick 5-minute applications. Be careful about creating your own at-home remedies because some chemicals can actually harm your teeth and gums – if your gums ever become red or swollen after any whitening treatment, you should probably change methods or talk to your doctor.
Eating Fruits and Vegetables
These healthy choices have other benefits too! Crunchy fruits and vegetables have an abrasiveness that acts as a natural toothbrush. Some options like citrus fruits, carrots, apples, and celery act as natural stain lifters and also increase saliva production which helps clean teeth.
Choose Sugar-Free Gum (with Xylitol)
How long do you chew a piece of gum? An hour? Imagine the damage being done to your teeth as your chomping down on that sweet, sugary piece of gum. Choosing sugar-free has obvious benefits. Xylitol is a natural sweetener that helps maintain a balanced pH in your mouth and stops bacteria from sticking to your teeth.
Beware of Teeth-Staining Food and Drink
Berries, condiments, and candy can stain your teeth. So can drinks such as red wine, cranberry and grape juice, tea, and brown sodas. We’re not saying cut these foods out, because let’s be real, some of these are our favorite things! But use them with care. Try to brush your teeth after eating and drinking these items. A good rule of thumb is to drink through a straw so that the drink doesn’t come in contact with your teeth.