Sparkling smiles and stainless teeth
Healthy teeth add an element of confidence to one's personality, just as does a sparkling smile. Those with stained or yellowish teeth hesitate to smile widely. But there are ways to care for your teeth and ensure a stainless smile.
Why do teeth turn yellow in the first place?
Drinking tea and coffee excessively turns teeth yellow. These beverages stain the teeth.
Food particles remain behind if teeth are brushed carelessly and hurriedly.
Certain medicines taken by an expectant mother can affect the infant in her womb and the child may later develop yellow teeth.
Soft drinks and artificial fruit juice also discolours teeth.
Smoking discolours teeth.
Yellow teeth are also caused by genetic reasons.
Certain drugs can stain teeth too.
Tips for sparkling teeth
Lemons and limes contain natural bleaching elements that can dispel stains from the teeth. Lemon rinds rubbed on the teeth have a cleaning effect, while meeting Vitamin C needs too.
Strawberries are an excellent fruit to keep teeth sparkling. This fruit contains malic acid which removes the yellow film on teeth.
Baking soda also cleans teeth. One can sprinkle a bit of baking soda on toothpaste while brushing teeth.
Salt can be used to clean the teeth. It whitens teeth and removes bacteria. Those with high blood pressure, however, should avoid using salt to clean their teeth.
Eating mushrooms regularly can whiten teeth. Mushrooms destroy bacteria within the mouth and prevents plaque build-up.
When the outer enamel covering of the teeth is damaged, teeth turn yellow. The calcium and probiotics in yoghurt protect tooth enamel. Yoghurt is also good for keeping teeth clean.
Calcium is important for teeth and the lack of calcium can discolour teeth. Calcium-enriched food is good in maintaining sparkling teeth.
* The writer is a dental surgeon