Beauty

Beauty

Say “I do” to pearly whites!

Say “I do” to pearly whites!

Who nowadays does not want beautiful, white teeth? Yet our tooth colour is not something that is fully under our control. In fact, the baseline colouring of most people’s teeth complements their complexion and hair colour. But there are things that can have a negative impact on tooth whiteness. So how can we get a brighter smile? By following these few simple tips!
 

Factors beyond our control

Some of the factors that can leave our teeth looking yellowish or greyish are beyond our control, for example:

  • Age, aging and heredity
  • Antibiotics taken before or during the development of teeth
  • Excessive use of fluoride during childhood
  • Root canals

Factors under our control

Oral hygiene

Maintaining regular, thorough oral hygiene is the basis of white sparkling teeth. This means 3 minutes of brushing, 3 times a day, after every meal. Daily use of dental floss is also recommended. If you are unable to brush your teeth after a meal, finish off with a food that protects teeth, like a piece of cheese accompanied by a glass of water. 

There are various toothpastes and whitening products available on the market today. Before using this type of product, be sure to carefully read the instructions to make sure it is right for you or talk to your dentist.

Foods to avoid

If consumed often, certain foods and beverages can stain your beautiful smile. Here is a list of items you may not want to sink your teeth into on a regular basis:

  • Red wine, tea and coffee
  • Foods with a high concentration of pigment, such as cherries, blackberries and blueberries
  • Acidic foods or beverages, such as soft drinks and citrus fruit, which damage tooth enamel
It is best to reduce your intake of such foods and, in certain cases, even eliminate them altogether from your diet. You may be surprised to know that you should not brush your teeth right after eating or drinking a highly acidic substance, since this can remove a layer of enamel.

It is not something you eat, but it tops the list as the biggest tooth-staining culprit: tobacco!  Over time, cigarettes can even leave your teeth looking blackish. 

Foods that help

Another fact that some people may not know:  some foods can actually help eliminate deposits from our teeth by stimulating the production of saliva. A sort of natural cleaning! Carrots, celery, apples, apple juice and camomile or ginger herbal tea are excellent examples of foods that can help in this respect.

Pharmacy services

To learn more, visit your local Uniprix store!

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