Dental hygiene is just as important as being proud of your “pearly whites.”
But keeping your teeth bright and white can be difficult, as a variety of factors can cause discoloration.
Dr. Ronald Santana, director of scientific development at Oral Biolife in Pennsylvania, said tooth discoloration refers to “staining or darkening of the teeth” due to internal or external factors.
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“Extrinsic discoloration is caused by changes in the color of tooth enamel due to external factors such as smoking, food or drinks (such as coffee, tea, red wine, etc.),” he said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“Intrinsic discoloration affects the dentin of the tooth and is caused by some medications taken during childhood (tetracyclines), trauma to the tooth, and certain diseases (liver disease).”
One dentist's rule is, “If your white T-shirt can get stained, your teeth can get stained.” (St. Petersburg)
Dr. Erin Fraundorff, owner of BOCA Orthodontics and Whitening Studio in Ladue, Missouri, agreed that there are many causes of tooth discoloration.
Although there is “no way to know the cause without professional evaluation and diagnosis,” experts believe that diet, smoking, medications, trauma, genetics, thinning of enamel, and tooth wear from grinding and chewing can all contribute to bruxism. He said it could be the cause. discoloration.
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“As a general rule of thumb, if your white T-shirt can get stained, your teeth can get stained,” she told FOX News Digital.
Santana and Fraundorff offered seven tips on how to make your teeth whiter and shinier.
1. Develop oral care habits
Fraundorf recommended brushing at least twice a day with an electric toothbrush and using toothpaste with fluoride or nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA).
“Avoid using toothpastes that contain charcoal or other abrasives, as they can damage your enamel and darken your teeth over time,” she says.
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“Turn your oral care routine into a self-care ritual that you can experience,” she added.
While some people may want to try whitening their teeth at home, Santana emphasized that “you need to be careful when choosing a safe and effective at-home teeth whitening method.”
Experts say it's best to avoid toothpastes that contain charcoal or other “abrasives.” (St. Petersburg)
“Avoid trying at-home approaches before seeing a dentist, as some substances can damage tooth enamel,” he warned.
Santana said “proper” tooth brushing is an “effective” way to reduce tooth discoloration.
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“Brushing your teeth correctly, using whitening toothpaste, and using an electric toothbrush are effective ways to reduce tooth discoloration.”
Fraundorf added that flossing with toothpaste, using a water flosser to remove plaque, and using a tongue scraper daily to reduce bacteria can also help whiten teeth. .
2. Drink more water
According to Fraundorf, water is “the best thing you can drink to keep your teeth healthy and white.”
“Next time you drink coffee or red wine, try taking sips of water and swishing between each sip,” she advised.
One dentist suggested, “The best thing you can drink to keep your teeth healthy and white is water.” (St. Petersburg)
“Not only does water prevent colored particles from sticking to your teeth, but it also helps neutralize the acidity of your drink.”
Fraundorff also recommended choosing flat water over sparkling water.
“Drink and shake this often to neutralize the oral environment and fight dirt,” she suggested.
3. Chew sugar-free gum
Research suggests that patients who chew sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after meals have “significantly fewer” cavities, Dr. Fraundorf noted.
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“Chewing sugar-free gum stimulates mechanoreceptors and taste receptors in the mouth, which increases saliva production,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Saliva not only washes away food particles, but it also helps dilute and neutralize the acids produced by plaque bacteria on your teeth, leading to fewer cavities and stains.”
4. Drink through a straw
Using a straw, especially when drinking dark, acidic, or sugary drinks, can reduce the contact of these substances with your teeth.
Experts advised that drinking through a straw reduces the chance of liquid coming into contact with your teeth. (St. Petersburg)
“As a bonus, drink your drinks sooner to reduce the amount of time your oral environment is exposed to low pH and reduce the amount of enamel damage,” Dr. Fraundorff says.
5. Prevent stains with fruits and vegetables
Certain foods and drinks such as red wine, soda, soy sauce, curry, balsamic vinegar, and coffee can stain your teeth and should be avoided, Santana says.
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“Additionally, although scientific evidence is limited, consuming a balanced, healthy diet that includes strawberries, grapes, apples, watermelon, papaya, pineapple, cheese, celery, carrots, broccoli, and almonds may “It may reduce tooth staining,” he said.
Fraundorf agreed: “Superfoods may be one of the best (and tastiest) ways to whiten your teeth naturally.”
According to experts, superfoods such as strawberries can help whiten teeth. (St. Petersburg)
“Strawberries, apples, and watermelons are high in malic acid, which can help whiten your smile by removing surface dirt and increasing saliva production,” she says.
Other superfoods that can help whiten your teeth include celery and leafy greens. These fibers act like a natural toothbrush, exfoliating the teeth,” Fraundorff added.
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“Dark leafy vegetables are also rich in calcium, which counteracts the effects of acids, and folate, which is essential for the growth of cells in your gum tissue.”
6. Go to the dentist
“Maintaining excellent oral health is paramount to achieving a bright smile,” Fraundorff told FOX News Digital.
“Set a calendar reminder to see your general dentist for regular exams and cleanings.”
Santana added, “Your dentist can prescribe a safe, customized resource for teeth whitening to fit your specific needs.”
Experts recommend that patients should visit the dentist every six months for a general checkup. (St. Petersburg)
7. Consider professional teeth whitening
While being diligent about your oral care can help keep your teeth white, Fraundorf suggests that you may need professional teeth whitening to “take your smile to the next level.” did.
“Maintaining good oral health is paramount to achieving a bright smile.”
“Whitening treatments are not one-size-fits-all, so it's important to seek customized care,” she said.
“The most ideal whitening treatment is one that is personalized to you, based on your unique smile goals, tooth composition, diet, sensory level, and lifestyle.”
She added: “Many factors are taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis and customized treatment plan for teeth whitening to ensure the best, most comfortable and beautiful results.”
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According to experts, artificial tooth structures such as crowns, veneers, and composites do not whiten. This means that additional restorative work is required to whiten these teeth.
For more health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle writer for Fox News Digital.