Bright, shiny, white teeth are highly desirable in modern society. Luckily, tooth whitening is a fairly straightforward dental procedure, and one of the least expensive forms of cosmetic dentistry.
Following a whitening procedure, you will want to maintain the results as long as possible. No one wants to return to the dentist every couple of months for a touch up. With proper dental habits, you can keep that white smile intact for several years or more.
Brush 30 Minutes after Drinking Coffee
The morning coffee is a sacred ritual for many people. Chances are, you do not want to give up your cup of joe. Unfortunately, coffee is notorious for its ability to stain teeth an unpleasant yellow colour.
Thankfully, it is possible to keep drinking your morning cup, while mitigating the majority of coffee's tooth-staining abilities. Brushing your teeth after consuming any food or drink that tends to stain teeth will prevent most of the discolouration.
However, it is very important that you wait at least 30 minutes before brushing. Research has shown that brushing directly after consuming particularly acidic foods (a category which coffee falls into) is very damaging to the enamel. The acidity in the food weakens the enamel, and brushing in this weakened state can actually cause the enamel to erode and strip away. By waiting for the acidity to clear out and the enamel to return to normal, you avoid causing any unnecessary damage.
Optimising Dental Health through Diet
Diet is intrinsically linked to dental health, and dental health is intrinsically linked to a white smile. You are most likely aware of which foods containing large amounts of sugar, such as lollies and soft drinks are particularly damaging to your teeth.
Conversely, foods high in calcium and phosphorous are incredibly beneficial to your oral health. Meats, nuts, and milk protect tooth enamel and aid in remineralisation.
Firm and crunchy fruits and vegetables are good for stimulating the mouth, strengthening teeth and helping to clear away acids.
Be Aware of Medication-Induced Discolouration
Certain pharmaceutical drugs and medical processes have been linked to tooth discolouration. Specifically, certain medications result in less saliva production. Lower saliva production is linked to diminished dental health, and can lead to discolouration and damage.
Specific medications that cause this include anticholinergics, antihypertensives, antipsychotics and antihistamines.
If you are currently taking these classes of medication, be aware of the effect they can have on your oral health. To mitigate the damage that they may cause, begin using mouthwash after ever meal. Mouthwash will fill in for the role of saliva. It removes food debris and dental plaque, and aid in killing any harmful bacteria that may be present.
Talk to your local dentist for more information on teeth whitening.
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