Whether you tried tirelessly throughout 2013 to get whiter teeth, or you just recently decided to make it a priority, there’s no reason why 2014 can’t finally be the year that you get the pearly whites you deserve.
Unfortunately, many people struggle to get rid of yellow and discolored teeth for a variety of reasons.
- Not visiting the dentist
- Infrequent brushing
- Not flossing
- Unhealthy eating habits
No matter what the reasoning is, leave the past the behind you. Put the following tips into action to improve your oral hygiene and get healthier teeth.
1 – Quit smoking
You’ll be able to kill two birds with one stone with this tip. Smoking cigarettes is one of the leading causes of stained and discolored teeth. The chemicals you are inhaling with each puff harm your teeth tremendously by causing bad stains. Not only is it bad for the appearance of your teeth, but it also contributes to halitosis (bad breath), increases your risk of developing oral cancer, and creates a variety of other health issues.
There is no upside to smoking. If you want to get healthier overall, and fix issues with your teeth, try to take control of your smoking habit in 2014.
2 – Schedule dentist visits far in advance
You need to visit the dentist at least once every 6 months. Even if you don’t think there’s anything wrong with your teeth or oral health, you need to get a cleaning and have a dentist examine your teeth. They can find issues deep in your teeth or gums that aren’t visible by you.
Many people fail to make it to the dentist because they forget due to their hectic schedule, they’re afraid, or it’s just not a priority to them. In order to guarantee that you don’t miss your visit, schedule your appointments far ahead of time. Many dentist offices will allow you to schedule an appointment at anything within the year. Make two appointments– your initial one and a follow up one 6 months later.
This will give you an opportunity to not have any schedule conflicts or other setbacks to stop you from going to your appointment.
3 – Invest in quality dental products
If you’re in the habit of just buying the first toothpaste tube you see without looking at its features/benefits, stop that in 2014. Switch to a toothpaste that has baking soda and/or peroxide in it. These are both stain fighting ingredients that will help you get the results you want.
Also, start buying (and using) mouthwash with stain fighting capabilities. You may even consider buying a Waterpik as well to help get rid of all the gunk in between your teeth.
4 – Whitening Strips
Teeth whitening strips have become extremely popular over the past few years and with good reason. Investing in quality teeth whitening strips can help your teeth look better with little effort. You just have to apply them to your teeth and let them work.
If you’ve never used strips before, it might take you a little while to get used to them. But in a week or so, it will be perfectly normal. Stick to reputable brands because there are some low quality ones on the market that are just a waste.
5 – Brush and floss regularly
Brushing your teeth once a day isn’t going to cut it anymore. Dentists recommend brushing at least twice a day, and flossing at least once a day. A lot of people tend to brush once in the morning and that’s it.
The problem with that is that when you’re eating throughout the day, food and germs deposit in between your teeth and get stuck there. Over time, this can lead to infection and disease.
You should brush once in the morning, and again in the evening before you go to sleep. If you have an opportunity to brush in the middle of the day, take it. Even though many dentist say you only have to floss once a day, I’d recommend twice daily. When you’re flossing, make sure you do it properly.
This should put you on the right path to get whiter teeth in 2014.
Author Bio
Dominique is a blogger who writes for Smileville, a pediatric dentist in Alexandria Virginia. He writes about health and fitness tips that help people feel better inside and out.
