The Secret to Keeping Your Teeth White
Healthy teeth are attractive teeth, so if you’re looking out for the health of your teeth with proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits you’re already doing a lot to help keep your teeth white and attractive. However, there are also a few more things you can do to keep your teeth looking their best. Crunch a Bunch Crunchy fruits and vegetables help clean your teeth. Finish every meal with a raw carrot, apple, or celery stick, then rinse with water. This isn’t a substitute for brushing, but it can help if you’re not able to brush your teeth in the middle of the day. Sugar free gums is also recommended to help clean your teeth. Like a clay bar used to take dirt off of cars, the gum can trap bacteria and food particles that were stuck to your teeth, and it also stimulates additional saliva production, which kills bacteria and rinses your teeth. Avoid the Stain There are many staining foods and beverages that we consume on a daily basis. Coffee, black tea, red wine, dark beers, and dark sodas are among the worst. Fortunately, there are many non-staining alternatives. Try substituting green tea for coffee and black tea. Drink white wine rather than red and lighter-colored beers instead of dark ones. Try, if possible, to cut soda out of your diet completely. It offers no nutritional benefits, and the acids in soda are damaging to your teeth. If you can’t quit soda completely, drink it with a straw to minimize your teeth’s exposure. Kick the Habit Smoking is one of the worst staining behaviors. Cigarette smoke leaves very visible stains on your front teeth. Smoking is also damaging to your gums and can contribute to gum disease and tooth loss. Getting Rid of Stains If you have stained teeth and you want to reset them back to a whiter shade, Ascent Dental offers many tooth whitening options. If your tooth enamel is thin or deeply discolored, tooth whitening may not be enough, but porcelain veneers can be used to whiten the most discolored teeth. If you live in Cherry Creek or other areas of Denver, Colorado and want to learn more about restoring and maintaining a beautiful white smile, please contact Ascent Dental today.
Best Foods for Your Teeth
Most of us know that some foods are bad for our teeth, but do you know which ones are the best for your teeth? There are many foods that can support or improve the health of your teeth and gums. Try to incorporate all these types of tooth-healthy food into your recipes. Foods That Clean Your Teeth Proper tooth cleaning is essential to reducing cavities and the need for dental fillings. Some foods are naturally very good at cleaning your teeth. These include your crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery, but also some mildly acidic fruits such as pineapple, strawberry, and others. Remember to rinse your mouth with water after eating acidic foods. Foods That Provide Nutrients for Teeth Just like other tissues in your body, your teeth need nutrition to remain healthy. There are many essential nutrients that can promote your tooth health, including: Calcium—promotes enamel health, found in quinoa, sesame seeds, and dairy products Vitamin D—enhances absorption of calcium, found in many types of fish and soy milk, and is usually added to milk. Vitamin A—essential to the production of tooth enamel. It’s abundant in liver, paprika, sweet potatoes, carrots, and kale. Vitamin C—supports the production of collagen, a structural protein that keeps your gums strong. Found in citrus fruits, of course, but also in strawberries, kiwi, and pineapple. Minerals—many minerals play supporting roles in your tooth enamel, such as magnesium and potassium. Eating quinoa and substituting sea salt for your regular table salt can increase your mineral intake. These are just a few of the important nutrients for your teeth, and there are many more ways to get them. Foods That Suppress Bacteria Tooth decay and gum disease are the result of bacteria living in your mouth. These bacteria excrete acid when they eat, which attacks your teeth and gums. Fortunately, many foods can suppress the activity of bacteria, including: Basil Broccoli Green tea Onions Shiitake mushrooms Wasabi And many others. At Ascent Dental, we look after the health of your mouth as part of your overall health. Your diet is an essential contributor to both your oral health and your overall health. To talk to one of our dentists about how diet can improve your oral health, please contact Ascent Dental in Denver, Colorado today.