1) Food
Love a curry? The food you consume can have a massive impact on the colour of your teeth. Foods like curry can be criminal when it comes to staining your gnashers! The number one criminal- turmeric. The super spice can really stain your teeth, though it’s apparently good for your health so we suggest moderation.
Back in the day when dentists used to whiten people’s teeth years ago they’d advise them to try and stick to a white food diet. Cauliflower anyone?
Other foods on the most wanted list include: balsamic vinegar, blackberries, rich tomato sauces and pot noodles (can contain turmeric).
Now we are not suggesting that you avoid these completely just keep it in moderation.
2) Drinks
Where to start in the liquid world…
Coffee, yep it has to be coffee. But basically anything that is dark and has a tendency to stick or coat the teeth- so don’t swap your coffee for a cup of builder’s tea.
Red wine is one we all know to be terrible and often you can see your teeth are darker after just one glass, but this surface staining should brush away. Though however handy you are with your toothbrush, frequent consumption of the red stuff will result in darker teeth.
Strange but true- fizzy drinks, but not because of their staining qualities, rather their stripping properties. You see the acid in the drink erodes the enamel on your tooth surface which is much whiter than the yellow dentine underneath. AVOID!
3) Mouthwash
Unexplained staining? It may surprise you to know that your choice of mouthwash may be culprit! Chlorhexidine gluconate is often found in mouthwashes used to treat bleeding gums. Whilst chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwashes can play an important role to resolve gum problems such as gingivitis, though long term use is not recommended.
Staining caused by using chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash can be removed by your dentist.
4) Toothbrush
The benefits of an electric toothbrush are well documented, but it can be your magic wand to a brighter smile. Staining will build on the teeth on a daily basis and an electric toothbrush can help you to win the battle of keeping your teeth pearly white.
We recommend the philips sonicare it’s technology really helps to penetrate the teeth and give you sparkling results.
5) Hygiene appointment
Plaque build up and staining is a common dental complaint. Plaque build up on the teeth tends to be more yellow in colour giving your smile a dingy look.
But plaque doesn’t just discolour your teeth in this way- plaque is porous especially when compared to tooth enamel. With such a porous surface the staining loves to stick. Curry anyone?
When plaque calcifies it becomes impossible for you to remove at home and a dental hygiene appointment is needed.
6) Professional tooth whitening
Professional tooth whitening can lighten your teeth by several shades and is one of the safest and most effective methods.
There are lots of options available from dentists to whiten teeth, we find the most effective way is by using an at home and laser whitening system.
DIY whitening kits and tooth whitening offered at a beauty salon, is not advisable. You pay for what you get when it comes to tooth whitening, buy the best you can afford.
7) Veneers
The celeb secret, if you want whiter than white teeth then it has to be veneers.
With expert tooth whitening we can guarantee the lightest shade on the tooth chart but it isn’t Cheryl Cole and whilst most people are happy with achieving the whitest natural colour you may want more of wow white.
