Many people around the world strive for whiter teeth, and there are many different ways to achieve this. From simple oral care techniques, to annual visits to a tooth care professional like a dentist, to other whitening methods emerging in the 1990s and 2000s, whiter teeth are now more possible than ever. Certain foods can be avoided, and brushing techniques can be altered and perfected to ensure whiter teeth by avoiding staining and practices that induce stains.
Whiter teeth can be most effectively achieved through traditional teeth care methods. Brushing three times a day is the best way to maintain healthy white teeth. Many dentists suggest brushing in the morning to remove plaque accumulated overnight, at night to remove what was accumulated throughout the day, and after meals to clean the teeth of food leftover in crevices. Brushing can be carried out with special whitening toothpaste, and can be accompanied by flossing, to remove food and plaque, and mouthwash.
Dentists should also be visited to assist in achieving whiter teeth. A dentist can clean teeth with many specialized tools, removing plaque and scraping build-up from the face of the teeth. Teeth bleaching can also be done to help. This practice involves the covering of teeth in a cleaning chemical that dissolves and removes plaque and other germs or stains from the teeth. Dentists have also developed many different products in the last part of the 20th century and early 21st century to assist in teeth whitening. Strips have been created that serve much like teeth bleaching from a dentist. These strips, available through many different brands, are usually applied for around twenty minutes a day for a few weeks, and act as cleaners for the teeth, whitening by stripping the stains of germs and plaque.
Whiter teeth can be achieved most effectively not through removing the stains that cause discoloration, but by avoiding them in the first place. Healthy eating of natural foods is a good way to encourage whiter teeth. Diets low on sugar and artificial colors help the teeth to maintain their natural whiteness. Foods and drinks that stain should be avoided, and these include soda, red wine, coffee, and most candies. Candy adds sugar to the teeth through sucking and chewing, but the discoloration of many drinks can be avoided by using straws and not allowing the teeth to soak in the liquid. Cigarettes, also, are a major detriment to whiter teeth and should be avoided.
