Maintaining Healthy Teeth At Home

I've been doing a lot of research lately about oral health, dentistry, orthodontics, etc. and thought I would share my favorite topic: white teeth. Everyone, myself included, wants to shine those beautiful, pearly whites, when they smile for pictures or when meeting a new friend or romantic interest. In my case, I want to take pictures with my sixteen month old daughter but I am a little more than self conscious about the stains on my teeth from years of suffering (okay, not suffering ;-)) from an iced tea addiction. Apparently, there's a lot you can do at home (aside from purchasing expensive teeth whitening products) that can help you achieve a more beautiful smile.

Baking Soda
Apparently, mixing baking soda with water and toothpaste and then using that mixture to brush your teeth vigorously for two minutes once a week can eliminate surface stains from your teeth and help them appear whiter. It's definitely not an every day solution nor does it combat the deeper issue of wearing enamel (at least that's an issue that I'm dealing with) but it can help on an "as needed" basis.

Strawberries
Strawberries contain ingredients that, when eaten, help to break down plaque buildup and remove surface stains.

Other "crisp" foods
Crisp, crunchy foods are great for helping to prevent stains on teeth. Almost all the research I've done about maintaining a brighter smile leads to the foods we eat on a daily basis. Apples, celery, potatoes, and anything crunchy (with limited sugar) helps to break away surface stains.

Obviously, nothing compares to maintaining proper oral hygiene, which includes brushing your teeth for two minutes at a time twice a day (after meals is ideal), flossing daily, and using a rinse aid. In addition, it's advisable for adults to visit their dentist on a yearly basis, twice a year is ideal.

I should note that I started my research about oral health after learning about an orthodontist in Kansas City, Fry Orthodontics. I am not advocating that anyone visit their website but I want to be clear about how my research started which ultimately led to this post.