By now you are probably aware that coffee, red wines, tea and frequent tobacco use will leave you with yellow, stained teeth. But, as cosmetic dentist D. Gordon Rye, D.D.S., of Rye Smiles for Life in Fairfax, Virginia points out, you can eat a number of foods that will naturally help whiten your teeth. Here are a few examples:
- Strawberries are great at whitening your teeth because the acid in the strawberries works to erase dark stains from your enamel like those left from soda.
- You may have put lemon juice in your hair before to lighten a few strands. Did you know that rubbing lemons on your teeth or eating them occasionally will have the same effect on your smile?
- Baking soda is great at eliminating stains and buildup, which is why it is often incorporated into name brand toothpastes. Brush it on your teeth twice a month, advises Dr. Rye, just like you would regular toothpaste and rinse it off.
- Eating raw vegetables is not only a great way to stay healthy, but also helps clean your teeth and remove any topical stains.
- Chewing sugarless gum is also a great way to clean your teeth’s surface and stimulate saliva, which works to naturally bathe your teeth and gums and eliminate harmful bacteria. If you have TMJ, however, you should not chew gum because of the affects it may have on your jaw.
- If you do want to drink coffee or soda, do so through a straw whenever possible. By using a straw, the dark elements are able to bypass your teeth altogether.
A number of other factors besides what you consume contribute to yellowing teeth. For example, age and heredity effect the pulp of your teeth and not just your enamel. If changing your habits to introduce more of the above suggestions doesn’t leave you with your desired results, you can also visit your dentist’s office for teeth whitening treatments.
Using powerful, but clinically controlled bleach, Dr. Rye explains, your dentist is able to penetrate your tooth’s enamel and eliminate hard stains. After getting a teeth whitening treatment, you should still refrain from exposing your teeth to dark, staining liquids in order to keep your smile whiter for longer.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
