How to have permanently white teeth in ten steps

The colour of our teeth is one of the most enquired about topics at dental level. For this same reason, we want to provide you with this article containing tips to be able to keep our smile white in the short and long term.
At home, we can follow oral hygiene habits that enable us to keep our teeth whiter for longer. In turn, there are certain treatments to whiten your teeth that will lead you to achieve the tone you desire or that most adapts to your characteristics.
But before entering into detail, we want to explain to you what are the white tones of your teeth and why your teeth may become stained over time.

White tone of teeth

There are four different ranges that divide the colour of teeth and which serve as a guide to us. They are A (reddish brown), B (reddish yellow), C (grey) and D (reddish grey).
Each range has different levels of clarity and darkness. These levels, together with this range, form a table that includes and represents all the possible colours of teeth.
Moreover, it must be made clear that around 70% of the population have natural teeth that are in the average white ranges (known as A3).

Why do teeth become stained?

Teeth stains may appear for many reasons. Wear and tear in our enamel means that teeth will look more yellow. Acidic foods, bruxism or brushing our teeth over-vigorously can damage our enamel and make our teeth lose their natural colour.
Furthermore, the consumption of beverages such as coffee, alcohol or habits such as smoking, will make our teeth look browner.
Lastly, white stains can also appear on our teeth if we have decalcified areas. This can also be a warning that our teeth will suffer future tooth decay. In turn, the use of products with excess fluoride inappropriately in children can cause white stains due to dental fluororis.

Tips to obtain white teeth

Taking care of our oral hygiene habits, our food, avoiding harmful habits, such as smoking or drinking alcohol… are some of the tips to ensure that we have the perfect smile. You should not forget to visit the dentist every six months or, at least, once a year, so that your oral hygiene is perfect.
Below we detail in depth some easy steps to ensure that your teeth remain as white as possible for as long as possible.

1. Taking care of your oral hygiene

As we know very well, daily oral hygiene, together with frequent professional scale and polishes, are the main tools to end tartar and plaque on our teeth. These two components can make our teeth look yellow, due to the adherent layer that forms on the tooth. Therefore, a scale and polish will have a very important role to ensure that our teeth always remain white.

2. Be careful with foods that stain your teeth!

As we know very well, there are foods that, on chewing them, can alter the natural colouring of your teeth. Among them are the most common ones, such as coffee, tea and wine (red and white).
However, we cannot forget about some less well-known ones but which, without doubt, can discolour your smile. In this case, we are talking about acidic foods, such as oranges, lemons, fruit and vegetables with intense colours, such as raspberries, beetroot, refreshments, energy drinks and certain sauces, such as ketchup and soya sauce.
Therefore, attempt to avoid these foods and, if you consume them, carry out good oral hygiene straight afterwards.

3. Add foods with whitening properties to your diet

We have just seen foods that may stain our teeth, but are there any foods that may contribute to whitening? The response is yes.
Among them we can find:

• Broccoli and cauliflower: they have to be chewed longer, making the body segregate more saliva and act as a natural cleanser.
• Strawberries: they contain an enzyme that makes teeth whiter.
• Dairy products: their lactic acid strengthens the enamel of teeth and whitens them.
• Apples: on chewing them, we clean our mouth.
• Celery: it helps to keep teeth white and gums healthy.

4. Properties of apple vinegar

Apple vinegar has natural whitening properties. Although the results are not instantaneous, rinsing for several weeks with apple vinegar will help us to eliminate stains and whiten teeth. However, we have to use this technique with moderation since its excessive use can damage teeth due to its acidic concentration.

5. Change toothbrush every three months

Your manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush head must be changed at least every three months. It is an item that has multiple bacteria, which you will transfer to your mouth, also leading to a reduction in the effectiveness of your daily brushing.

6. Do not brush your teeth vigorously

Vigorous brushing will damage your enamel and your teeth may turn more yellow. You must check that your brush’s bristles – aside from being in a perfect state, do not apply too much force to your teeth.

7. Use dental floss

At least once a day. You will eliminate food remains from your teeth, molars and gums that were hidden or that you have not been able to remove through brushing.

8. Rinse with mouthwash

The use of oral rinses or mouthwashes will eliminate the remaining bacteria in your mouth following brushing, and give you fresh breath and a clean sensation.

9. Keep your tongue clean

Aside from the previous points, it is essential that we take care of and keep our tongue clean. Hence, we can use tongue scrapers in the mornings, to eliminate the bacterial plaque generated during the night-time while we sleep.

10. Are your teeth very stained?

If your teeth are very stained or yellow and they do not improve with these tips that we have given you, make the move and have your teeth whitened. Once you have carried out this treatment, do not forget to apply the tips that we have given you!