Who doesn’t want a whiter, healthier smile? Have you looked in your mouth and noticed some of your teeth look yellow? I’m seeing that one or two front teeth are yellow. Just what I need is one more health problem to deal with. There can be several reasons this is happening, and some of them stem from poor choices.
“The No. 1 cause of teeth yellowing is lifestyle,” said Dr. Justin Philipp of J. Philipp Dentistry in Chandler, Arizona. “Smoking, drinking coffees and teas, and chewing tobacco are the worst offenders.”
There are two main types of tooth discoloration:
Extrinsic: This type of discoloration affects the outer surface of your teeth (enamel). Often, stains from food and drinks cause extrinsic discoloration of teeth.
Intrinsic: This type starts inside your tooth and affects your dentin (the layer underneath your enamel). Causes include dental trauma and some medications.
As you age, the enamel on your teeth thins, which can also cause your teeth to appear yellow. Foods like blueberries, pomegranates, citrus fruits, soda, and coffee can stain your teeth.
You can always ask the dentist about whitening trays if you don’t mind shelling out the bucks, but first, try some things at home.
Practical Tips for a Whiter, Healthier Smile
Use a Baking Soda Paste
Of course, this won’t taste like a refreshing soda, but it will help improve the appearance of yellow teeth. Here are some easy instructions about how to use baking soda paste:
- Mix about a tablespoon of ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda with about a tablespoon of water in a small bowl (roughly equal parts). You’ll make a thick paste that you can apply to your teeth with your fingers or a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- For best results, brush for about two minutes using circular motions and be sure to coat all of your teeth with the paste. Gently brush all around your mouth, hitting each tooth. Do not scrub too hard or use too much force.
- After two minutes, spit out the baking soda and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water or mouthwash. Rinse your toothbrush as well.
You can use any baking soda except the kind used to tenderize meat!
Brush and Floss Every Day
It can be a pain in the neck to practice good oral hygiene, but if you want to have a brighter, healthier smile, you need to make time for it and stick to it. I am brushing and flossing twice a day.
“Research has shown that people who take care of their teeth and gums also enjoy a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, improved control of diabetes, and even better cognitive health as they age,” explains Steven J. Katz, DDS, MS, the president of the American Association of Endodontists.
Learn to Floss Correctly
Pick a convenient time of day to floss your teeth. Some people prefer bedtime, but you may want to do it earlier in the day. Sometimes the dentist nags you to floss more than once a day, and I have had so many problems that I am trying to get into the habit of flossing twice a day.
Use about 18 inches of floss and wind it around your middle fingers. Guide the floss between the teeth and along the gum line, then curve it into a C-shape for a more thorough cleaning.
Flossing reaches spots that a toothbrush can’t. “People need to floss their teeth to help prevent cavities in between teeth,” says Sneha Mohan, D.M.D., a dentist with Midtown Dental Group in New York City. “A toothbrush’s bristles or a water flosser can’t do that, so flossing is the gold standard to help prevent decay between teeth.”
Brush with Fluoride Toothpaste
I have been using fluoride toothpaste at bedtime for about a year. It strengthens your teeth and leaves your mouth feeling refreshed and clean afterwards. My dentist said I can rinse lightly so that I have a little bit left on my teeth overnight.
Ask your dentist to put in a prescription for fluoride toothpaste. Put a dab on your toothbrush and go slowly over each section of your mouth. Problem areas should be brushed thoroughly, but not so hard that the gums bleed.
Don’t forget your gums; use a soft touch, as they can bleed easily and become inflamed.
Use a Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste doesn’t actually change the natural color of your teeth. It removes surface stains from smoking or coffee, making teeth look whiter.
If you purchase a whitening toothpaste, look for the American Dental Association seal of approval.
Summary
You can definitely do something to improve your dental health. Try these tips, and you may want to do some research on your own. Get in the habit of brushing and flossing every day. You’ll have a whiter smile and a much more pleasant dental checkup.
