Most people would admit to wanting a brighter smile. You’ll be happy to know that whiter teeth may be easier to achieve than you think. While it’s true that your teeth can stain and lose their luster naturally over time, there are also natural ways in which you can help ensure your smile’s shine lasts longer. To help make the most of your smile and avoid the need for cosmetic teeth whitening, your Astoria dentist, Dr. Leibowitz offers these tips for maintaining a bright smile at home.
Simple Steps to a Brighter Smile
Eat more fruits and vegetables
You probably already know that fruits and vegetables are healthy for you. Crunchy fruits and veggies, like apples, celery, and carrots, also have a fibrous texture that helps scrub your teeth clean of minor stains. They also help stimulate saliva flow, which is your mouth’s natural rinse and defense against harmful bacterial plaque buildup and the food debris that feeds it.
Brush and floss your teeth…often!
Brushing and flossing your teeth helps control the plaque that accumulates on your teeth and gums. This plaque consists mainly of oral bacteria, some of which produce acid from sugars and starches that weaken your tooth enamel and make it easier for stains to adhere to it. A healthy dental hygiene routine helps control the germs that produce this acid, reducing the risk of permanent tooth staining.
Refrain from excessive snacking
Another good way to prevent acid from weakening your tooth enamel is to starve the germs that produce it. Refrain from excessively snacking throughout the day; the more often you eat, the more often your teeth are subjected to the acids that oral bacteria produce as a result.
Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is a good idea for a number of reasons. As far as your teeth are concerned, it can help maintain a healthy saliva flow throughout the day, as well as helping your saliva rinse your mouth clear of food debris, dental plaque, and bacterial acid. If you can’t brush your teeth after a meal, try swishing water around your mouth for a minute or two to minimize the risk to your teeth.
A Smile You Can Be Proud of with Help from Your Astoria Dentist
To learn more about keeping your smile bright and healthy, call our Astoria dentist’s office to schedule a dental consultation with Dr. Leibowitz. You can contact us by calling (718) 728-8320. Located in the 11106 area, we proudly serve patients from Astoria, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the surrounding communities.
