四季絮語難忘

Romance out of the hazeA healthy smile can make you feel great and boost your confidence. Unfortunately, lifestyle choices such as what we choose to eat and drink, and how we look after our teeth can, over time, create a smile we are less than happy with. Our teeth naturally age, the enamel gets thinner, and the dentine layer underneath gets darker, which all adds to the teeth being less white than would be liked and can make us look older than we are. A visit to a specialist can help restore the whiteness but at a price. Fortunately there are ways to maintain and restore the brightness of your smile at home, without visiting the dentist.

Keep teeth brushed and flossed clean to prevent staining and tooth decay which both contribute to discoloration. Always wait for 30 minutes to an hour after eating before brushing teeth. The acids in food soften the enamel, which takes a while to recover. Brushing too soon after eating will be too abrasive on the softened enamel and will cause damage, as well as creating a surface more easily stained.

Rinse with water after eating to remove the sugars and acids that cause damage. Remnants of foods will break down in the mouth releasing the sugars and acids that cause damage and discoloration to teeth. Rinsing the mouth will physically remove these.

Chew gum to stimulate the production of saliva. The bodies natural defense, it helps reduce the levels of acid and harmful bacteria in the mouth. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and prevent a dry mouth and lower amounts of saliva.

Avoid staining by limiting the amount of foods that are likely to cause stains, such as tomato sauce and balsamic vinegar. Tannins in tea and coffee, also found in red wine, stick to the tooth enamel, causing an unsightly staining that is harder to remove. Try limiting the amount you drink, and choose tea and coffee with milk rather than black, and drink white wine rather than red. Limit the amount of sugary drinks such as sodas, and using a straw when drinking them will help limit their damage to your teeth by bypassing them altogether. Eat more crunchy foods, such as raw carrots and celery, that will work at clearing away bits stuck to your teeth, effectively gently scraping your teeth as you eat them.