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4 Tips for Whiter Teeth
Added: (Tue Jun 30 2009)
Many people are shy to flash their wide smiles because of stained and discolored teeth. It’s reason enough why teeth whitening procedures are very popular. A smile can light up one’s face and it can be a more attractive smile if your teeth don’t have any stains or discolorations.
According to los angeles cosmetic dentists, stained or discolored teeth are pretty common. The natural composition of teeth makes it easy to stain and discolor. Most people remedy this by visiting a los angeles cosmetic dentist to have a teeth whitening procedure. Those who find such procedures expensive choose to have their teeth whitening done at home with some over-the-counter teeth whitening kits available in drug stores and pharmacies.
However, a teeth whitening procedure is not necessarily the answer to a set of pearly whites. The key to every problem is prevention. Below are some tips that could help prevent your teeth from stains or discolorations.
1. Observe proper oral hygiene. This is something that has been taught since we were kids. One need not be an expert of los angeles cosmetic dentistry to know how important it is to brush and floss at least twice a day. This would prevent plaque build-up which causes teeth to look yellowish.
2. Watch what you eat and drink. Some food and drinks can leave stains on your teeth. Check if the food or teeth could leave permanent stains on clothes. If yes, then chances are it’ll do the same to your teeth. Some of the things you might want to steer clear of or at least cut down are coffee, tea, colas, and some fruit juices. Also, it would help a lot if you clean your teeth after eating or drinking. If you cannot brush them, at least gargle some water to rinse your mouth.
3. Stop smoking. Ever seen a smoker who has white teeth? If yes, chances are that smoker has spent a lot on teeth whitening procedures. Nicotine is almost sure to cause stains on teeth especially with long-term use. The nicotine that can be found in tobacco products is often absorbed by the teeth and this nicotine causes the staining.
4. Stay away from too much fluoride. Although the most common problems when it comes to teeth discoloration are yellowish and brownish stains, it’s also not unusual to find unusually white spots on your teeth. Although they are more bearable than the yellow and brown ones, they still give your teeth an uneven color appearance. These white stains are caused by excessive fluoride. So regulation is the key when it comes to using mouth rinses, toothpastes, fluoride supplements, and fluoride applications.