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A white smile is beautiful! Given to each person by nature, it requires regular care and the implementation of certain procedures. And it’s a pity when, after a professional cleaning at the dentist, the enamel of the teeth darkens over time or stains form on it. However, MedAboutMe knows how to prevent this!
1. Brush your teeth regularly, but not aggressively.
Twice a day for 2-3 minutes is a necessary minimum for each person. In this case, the head of the toothbrush should work through all surfaces of the teeth: front, back and top. It is strictly forbidden to move the brush to the right and left — this will not make the teeth cleaner, and soft plaque will fall into the space between the teeth, where it will turn into tartar and will contribute to the formation of caries.
Fact!
American Dental Association (ADA) recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Aggressive toothbrushing, as well as the use of a brush with hard bristles, can damage tooth enamel and gums, and cause tooth sensitivity.
2. Use products with fluoride
Industry experts believe that fluoride helps keep your smile healthy and white. A study published in May 2018 in the journal Gerodontology, showed that a lack of fluoride can lead to tooth decay, even if a person brushes his teeth thoroughly and flosses regularly. Therefore, the presence of fluoride is highly desirable, both in water and in dentifrices.
However, it is important to consider that in some regions there is an excess of fluoride, which is harmful to health. So before you do anything, talk to your doctor!
3. Floss once a day
If you do this less often, the smile is unlikely to be snow-white for a long time. This is because flossing removes plaque, food debris and bacteria between teeth where the brush cannot reach. It is in these places that dark spots most often appear.
Advice!
In consultation with your doctor, use whitening pastes. They contain polishers and abrasives, as well as chemicals that grind teeth and erase dark spots. And remember: this tool is not for daily use!
4. Quit smoking
This bad habit contributes to yellowing of the enamel, discoloration of the tongue and deterioration of the general condition of the oral cavity.
Specialists American Dental Association People who smoke are reported to have slower healing of oral tissues after dental procedures. They also have a higher risk of developing dental and gum disease.
5. Rearrange your diet
Ultimately, this will help maintain not only the whiteness of the smile, but also the health of the teeth in general. Of course, we are talking about such a product as sugar. Numerous studies show that it causes adverse effects on teeth and gums. Products containing it are also dangerous: sweets, desserts, bakery products.
World Health Organization recommends that people limit their sugar intake to less than 10% of their daily calorie intake.
Sour foods deserve special mention. This is not only berries and fruits, but also juice and red wine. After using them, the mouth should be rinsed immediately with clean water. This will prevent damage to the enamel.
On a note!
Foods that stain teeth can also ruin your smile. Dentist Jeanne Strathearn lists white and red wine, blueberries and blackberries, pomegranates, soda, tomato sauce and marinade, green and black tea, paprika, turmeric, curry and balsamic vinegar.
6. Drink water instead of juices and sodas
Sugar-sweetened beverages are the main source of added sugars in many people’s diets. As mentioned above, this contributes to tooth damage and more rapid plaque formation.
Specialists American Dental Association it is advised to drink only pure water and unsweetened tea during the day, and sweetened drinks are allowed during meals.
7. Use mouthwashes
Studies show that these products support overall dental and gum health and help maintain a whiter smile. So, in the review of 2015, which was shared by the publication Dental Clinics of North Americamouthwash containing the antibacterial agent chlorhexidine has been found to help control plaque formation and prevent the development of gingivitis.
On a note!
Never brush your teeth immediately after consuming sour. Wait at least 30 minutes. If you do this immediately after eating, it will cause the enamel, weakened by the influence of acids, to be damaged, increasing the likelihood of dark spots.
8. Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Not only is this a great way to freshen your breath, but it also helps prevent plaque formation. While chewing gum, more saliva is released, which washes away everything superfluous from the teeth and gums and partially neutralizes the harmful effects of bacterial microflora.
9. Get a dental cleaning
It is she, and not professional whitening teeth really helps keep teeth white and healthy. Industry experts are wary of whitening, as it can damage enamel and cause discoloration of teeth, and for good reason it has a whole list of contraindications.
Fact!
To maintain whiter teeth between visits to the dentist, experts recommend using whitening strips. Due to the content of peroxides and bleaching agents, the strips effectively lighten the enamel. They are used in the course.
Expert comment
Vyacheslav Minko, orthopedic surgeon, holder of two patents for inventions in the field of dentistry
The main thing in maintaining a white smile is to ensure that care is aimed at preventing the accumulation of plaque on the teeth. And that it should be a system, that is, a set of measures that are carried out regularly.
Of course, it is very important to visit the dentist once every six months and have professional teeth cleaning at least twice a year, but without competent home care, the teeth, one way or another, will decay faster.
First of all, you need to brush your teeth regularly. It will not be superfluous to consult a dentist about the choice of a toothbrush and paste. The right choice is very important, because the effectiveness of cleansing largely depends on it.
Please note that the «enemies of enamel» are cigarettes and hookah, so it is better to give up any smoking.
Expert comment
Oksana Orlova, MD, PhD, researcher at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, laboratory of aging bioregulation, cosmetologist
Teeth turn yellow for two external reasons: thinning of the enamel with exposure of the dentin and its staining with certain substances: coffee, strong tea, red wine, dark berries, red sauces, tobacco, carbonated drinks, sugar. There are certain rules for maintaining the beauty of teeth.
1. Eating foods rich in calcium: cottage cheese, broccoli, cheese and milk; as well as fresh vegetables and fruits, especially carrots, apples, pineapples and strawberries — they perfectly whiten tooth enamel.
2. Home teeth whitening. The simplest is to use baking soda diluted 1 to 2 with water 1-2 times a month. Daily use of 1 teaspoon of liquid coconut oil for rinsing: this procedure protects the enamel and heals the gums.
3. Professional procedures at the dentist — this can be cleaning of tartar, teeth whitening.
Expert comment
Vladimir Shipkov, head of the dental center, dentist
Dazzling whiteness and beauty are identical concepts, at least in everything that concerns teeth. Even those who are lucky enough to have healthy, even teeth from birth are unlikely to be fully satisfied with them if they have a pronounced yellowish or grayish tint. But even those to whom nature has given a snow-white smile know that this is not an unlimited option.
The fact is that the lifestyle of most modern people does not contribute to the preservation of the whiteness of the teeth, but, on the contrary, harms the enamel, making the shade less attractive. Today I will tell you how to resist this and keep the alpine whiteness of your teeth for a long time.
- Using mouthwash after meals
Liquid products wash away dyes and acids from the enamel, relieving the protective shell of the tooth from negative influences. In addition, they disinfect the oral cavity and freshen the breath. If mouthwash is not available, rinse your mouth with clean, warm water or chew sugar-free gum after eating.
- Regular occupational hygiene
During the procedure, the dentist will remove hard and soft deposits, clean the interdental space, and polish the enamel with special pastes. Then the doctor will enrich the protective shell with the necessary minerals (remineralization) and apply a protective agent (lamination) that prevents the accumulation of plaque and makes the enamel less susceptible to acids and dyes. It is necessary to visit the dentist for this purpose at least twice a year.
- Thorough home care
Home hygiene cannot be compared to professional hygiene, but daily care should not be underestimated. Brush your teeth twice a day with a suitable brush and paste, use a tongue scraper, floss (dental floss) and rinse after meals. So you can not only preserve the natural whiteness, but also protect your teeth from caries.
Compliance with these simple recommendations will help maintain the natural whiteness of your teeth for a long time. If the natural shade does not suit you, it is easy to fix. Professional whitening works wonders.
Expert comment
Inna Virabova, dentist-surgeon, pediatric dentist
Each of us would like to know the secret of eternal youth and beauty, but, alas, it is not. However, there are important health tricks to help keep teeth white. After all, white teeth are not only a visiting card of Hollywood stars, but, first of all, a sign of the health of the whole organism. And yet, they say, people with a beautiful smile often share it with others, creating a trail of success and prosperity.
Speaking of “dental” secrets, I would put friendship with a dentist in the first place. This is a timely check of the condition of the oral cavity, as well as preventive manipulations (professional oral hygiene, remineralization), which help to avoid caries and its complications.
Choosing the right toothpaste and toothbrush is the second secret that everyone who wants to keep a beautiful smile should remember. Moreover, it is important that the funds are selected by a professional, based on the condition of your oral cavity. For example, if there is a problem with the appearance of caries, then most likely you will be recommended a paste with fluorides — they prevent the formation of caries and make teeth stronger.
In addition to the ways described above to keep your teeth white, there is another one — this is the formation of good habits. For example, eat enough solid food to self-cleanse the enamel. So that your teeth do not suffer from high acidity and stay healthy longer, do not forget to drink freshly squeezed juices and soda through a straw, and then rinse your mouth with water or a special rinse.
Expert comment
Maxim Kopylov, dentist-surgeon, periodontist, orthopedist, implantologist
To maintain the natural whiteness of your teeth, you must follow a few simple rules:
Individual oral hygiene. It is necessary to use hygiene products individually selected by the doctor: a brush with a large number of soft polished bristles, be sure to use dental floss to clean the contact surfaces of the teeth, and a paste that is optimal for your enamel. The doctor may prescribe additional hygiene products (mono-bundle brush, irrigator).
Much depends on the enamel — if the enamel is smooth and glossy (due to good hygiene), the pigment sits on it worse. If the enamel is matte (the patient does not clean his teeth well, there is a lot of soft plaque), the pigment sits on it perfectly.
Food hygiene. If the patient often snacks, he has increased acidity in the oral cavity, plaque settles on the teeth, and the enamel becomes dull.
Eating solid foods. Suitable carrots, apples, and not in sliced form, but in the natural, so that you have to bite off. This promotes natural cleaning of the teeth.
Refusal to use therapeutic rinses without the recommendation of a doctor. Some rinses contain substances that darken the enamel (for example, chlorhexidine). Therefore, medicated rinses should only be used as directed by a doctor.
Expert comment
Samvel Apresyan, stomatologist-orthopedist, surgeon, candidate of medical sciences, professor of the RUDN University Medical Institute
To maintain a snow-white smile, it is necessary to systematically carry out hygiene and visit the dentist regularly. But often, despite all these efforts, the teeth eventually lose their original whiteness. To restore it, it is not at all necessary to use bleaching agents, which often lead to an irreversible destructive process. First of all, pay attention to your diet: vegetables and fruits not only increase immunity, but also work as «natural cleaners» of teeth.
More fruits and vegetables in the diet, and your teeth will not darken. Champions in whitening properties are considered to be strawberries and pineapples.
To strengthen the enamel and maintain a white tint, foods rich in calcium are also good: cottage cheese, cheese, milk, broccoli. You can, after consulting your doctor, take additional calcium supplements.
Do not forget about the choice of a toothbrush. It is better to prefer electric, it provides better disposal of plaque.
Expert comment
Leonid Vasiliev, dentist-therapist, orthopedist
If you are unhappy with the color of your teeth, then in addition to whitening procedures, you should review your diet and exclude coloring foods from it. Food coloring is found in many bright products, among which are the well-known «painters» for tooth enamel.
For example, the effects of the most famous dyes — coffee or tea, can be softened by adding lemon or milk to these drinks. After tasting red wine, try to rinse your mouth with plain water, but brushing your teeth right away is not recommended. And if you are a fan of dishes that include such strongly coloring spices as turmeric or curry, it is better to drink green tea at the end of the meal in order to reduce their harmful effects.
Remember to rinse your mouth after every meal. And most importantly, refrain from using the so-called «folk methods» of teeth whitening, the Internet is full of recipes. You can ruin tooth enamel using the pseudo-advice of «well-wishers» in no time, but restoring it will be much more difficult.
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