Do you hesitate to smile because your yellowish teeth may show? Do you feel conscious of your teeth when you start to speak? Getting your teeth white and healthy can’t be a one off deal; it is something that needs attention every day. Your teeth are affected by many things including the food you eat, what you drink and your dental hygiene routine.
Get healthy teeth
Cleanliness: Plaque forms on teeth when it is coated with sugar from food and bacteria attacks it. It makes your teeth look unclean and leaves it vulnerable to infection and cavities. The first thing you need to understand is that brushing your teeth in the morning and at night isn’t enough. You also need to rinse your mouth every time you eat something or drink a beverage. It is also a good idea to gently massage your gums before you start brushing your teeth.
Nutrition and more: Do ensure that you get adequate calcium in the form of dairy products, beans and nuts. Sesame seeds are a good source of calcium too and also help cleanse the teeth of plaque. Add certain foods such as celery, carrots and apples, which are naturally abrasive, to your daily diet. As you chew on a stick of celery or carrot or a slice of apple, your teeth are cleaned of plaque. It is a good idea to add a salad to your meal and sprinkle some sesame seeds on it.
To maintain the pH balance in your mouth adequate production of saliva is required. Intake of cheese helps increase saliva in the mouth and is also a good source of calcium, a key mineral in the development and maintenance of teeth. Cheese is also believed to eliminate bacteria that cause plaque and cavities. Drinking adequate water (six to eight glasses) not only keeps you hydrated but promotes the production of saliva in the mouth and keeps it healthy.
Reduce your intake of sugary and sticky junk foods. Instead opt to eat healthier and fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables. Reducing your intake of tea, coffee and cola will also help keep your teeth clean. Nicotine also tends to stain your teeth and is best avoided.
Quick Tips
- Some people swear by rubbing raw strawberries mixed with baking soda onto their teeth to get a whitening effect. If you try this, do remember to rinse your mouth afterwards.
- Chew some fennel seeds to naturally cleanse your teeth of plaque, stimulate saliva and also leave your mouth feeling and smelling fresh.
- Use a teeth whitening toothpaste recommended by your dental hygienist.
- Brush and floss your teeth every day. Don’t brush too harshly or you may end up damaging your gums and teeth enamel.
- Have a chewing gum designed to clean your teeth and remove food particles that may be stuck between your teeth.
- Get a bleaching treatment at your next dental appointment.
If styling and grooming interest you then consider enrolling for a cosmetology course at ‘The Esani institute’. The institute is a Paul Mitchell Partner School.
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