A beautifully white smile is something that many people desire to have. People who are confident about their smiles tend to share them with others more freely, while those who are embarrassed about discolored or stained teeth often avoid open-lipped smiles or smile behind their hands. Many people are born with very white teeth, and others are born with duller or more yellowish teeth. Genetics play a huge role, but other factors can contribute to a smile not looking its best.

While there is no substitute for a professional teeth whitening treatment, there are things that can be done in your daily life that will boost the whiteness of your smile – and also benefit your overall oral health.

• Avoid soft drinks at all costs. Oh, we know. This is hard. Soft drinks taste good with pizza and popcorn, and they are a nice cold treat on a hot summer day. However, soft drinks contain many ingredients and chemicals that are extremely harsh on the teeth. First, there is the amount of sugar included. In just one 12-ounce can of regular soda, there are around 40 grams of sugar – which is more than 80% of the recommended daily intake for a healthy diet. Not only is a high sugar intake associated with many diseases, but sugar damages your teeth. Second, the acid in soft drinks eats away at tooth enamel. As tooth enamel weakens, cavities and tooth decay set in. Third, the chemicals and coloring added to soft drinks stain the teeth. Pour a Coke or Dr. Pepper on a white t-shirt and look at the discoloration; that is what happens to your teeth.
• Limit your consumption of acidic juice and alcohol. As with soft drinks, the same factors apply. Alcohol is highly acidic, contains sugar, and it will discolor your teeth. As we hope that you limit your alcohol intake much less than the average consumption of soft drinks, an occasional beverage won’t ruin your teeth.
• Rinse your mouth after eating and drinking. The absolute easiest thing that you can do to boost your smile’s whiteness naturally is to rinse your mouth after eating and drinking. Rinsing with pure water helps wash away stain-causing residue from lingering on your teeth all day.
• Practice optimal oral hygiene. Flossing daily and brushing twice a day go a long way in keeping your smile healthy and white. Floss is the most important thing you can do for your smile as it removes plaque from the teeth before it can darken, infect your gums, and cause decay.

Contact Just Brush My Teeth to learn more about naturally whitening your teeth.