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Want Whiter Teeth? Avoid These Foods and Drinks!

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Want Whiter Teeth? Avoid These Foods and Drinks!

Posted on: December 4th, 2019 by admin

pexels-photo-970204-coffee-desk-drawingYou want whiter teeth. We all do. The confidence that comes with having a white, bright smile can be a huge part of living a happy life.

Modern teeth whitening treatments can help you get the glowing teeth you’ve always wanted, but if you want to keep that smile you’ll want to avoid eating or drinking too much of the following:

  • Coffee – You had to know this would make the list. As much as many of us don’t like to hear it, coffee is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to staining your teeth. It may be the morning pick me up for half of America, but it’s also putting a damper on our bright smiles.
  • Red Wine – Like coffee, red wine is a big favorite that can also wreak havoc with our teeth. It’s no surprise that so many red wine enthusiasts end up seeking a teeth whitening treatment, available to people in Barnegat, Manahawkin, Forked River and beyond. Long years of the good stuff is a great part of your social life, but a bad part of your dental life.
  • Tea – Sorry, caffeine lovers, switching from coffee to tea will not cure your teeth staining blues. In fact, tea can be even more aggressive on your teeth than coffee. High in tannins and somewhat acidic, a lot of tea in your diet can be bad news for your teeth (and also, incidentally, for your kidneys). The good news is, black tea is the primary culprit. Switching to green, white and herbal teas can help.
  • Cola – Your dentist in Ocean County has probably been telling you for years that soda is bad for your teeth. It’s something we all learned in childhood: all that sugar in soda will rot away your teeth. What they didn’t tell us is that cola can stain your teeth, too. The sugar, when couples with the dyes and coloring and other ingredients of cola, means you’ll be seeking a teeth whitening after a few years of regular cola consumption.
  • Blueberries – Blueberries are a great part of your diet. High in antioxidants, they’re some of the very best fruits you can be eating – except, of course, when it comes to your teeth. Blueberries are especially high in tooth-staining colors, which is one of the reasons they were historically used in dyes. Blackberries, raspberries and other dark berries have similar qualities, but blueberries are by far the worst. Keep eating them – they’re good for you – just be sure to brush when you’re done.
  • Tomato Sauce – Sorry, pasta lovers, but that great red sauce that is used in every other pasta dish you enjoy also has qualities that can contribute to stained teeth. The acidic nature of tomatoes coupled with their deep red color means that you may want to see your Ocean County dentist after long years of eating Italian food.

All of this may seem like bad news, but it’s not. Most of the above food and drinks have good health qualities (though you may want to skip the cola), and their staining effects can be reversed by modern teeth whitening treatments. Remember, consume them in moderation, practice good oral hygiene, and you can have a great smile your whole life long.

Simple Teeth-Whitening Methods You Can Do At Home

Posted on: August 28th, 2019 by admin

We know you want brighter and whiter teeth. You wouldn’t be reading this or visiting us here at Bayside Dentistry if you didn’t! Though the best results can only come after a visit to our office, there are some things you can do right in your own home to assist with making your teeth whiter. Here are some ideas:

Womans open mouth picture Barnegat Manahawkin Dental Office

pexels photo 922531

What To Do:

Brush Your Tongue

Brushing your tongue is not purely about keeping your breath fresh. Your tongue gets bacterial buildup, and that buildup that often results in staining on your teeth. Brushing your tongue helps ease that problem.

Eat Raw Fruits and Vegetables

The saying that an apple a day keeps the dentist away is true! Raw fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, celery, carrots, and others help scrub away plaque and other elements that can stain, making them a nutritious way to maintain whiter teeth. Just don’t skip your visit to a dentist serving Forked River and Southern Ocean County, like Bayside Dentistry!

Use Apple Cider Vinegar

This is an organic teeth whitening technique you can try at home. Just rinse with apple cider vinegar. It’s that simple! Though not nearly as effective as the professional treatments you’ll get from your dentist – it’s not even close – it can offer pretty decent results and help you maintain some brightness. All you need to do is mix two parts water to one part apple cider vinegar and rinse.

Replace Your Toothbrush

You should be doing this no matter what! Keep in mind that due to bacterial buildup, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months, because worn bristles become increasingly less effective at cleaning your teeth as they wear down.

Rinse Your Mouth After Eating Citrus

Oranges, lemons and others are delicious, but they can be bad for your teeth due to their high acidity. Eat them as much as you want, but rinse with water after you’re done. Your teeth will thank you for it.

Visit Your Dentist

All of the above suggestions will help alleviate the staining effects that time, eating, and drinking will have on the whiteness of your teeth, but if you desire noticeably whiter and brighter teeth, you’re going to want to ask your dentist about teeth whitening in Ocean County.

What NOT to do:

Do Not Use Baking Soda

This all-purpose cleaning agent is often suggested, but proceed with caution! Baking soda can be abrasive, wearing away the enamel of your teeth and eventually causing them to darken.

Drink Too Many Energy Drinks

You already know to avoid coffee and tea, but did you know that energy drinks can wear at your teeth color, too? The team here at Bayside will confirm that these drinks are highly acidic, causing them to wear at your tooth enamel. If you have to drink them, consider using a straw to help avoid your teeth.

Don’t Gorge on Dark Foods

Marinara sauce, blackberries and blueberries, dark sauces for your pasta, and similar foods may be tasty, but they can stain your teeth. If you do eat them, brush promptly afterward!

Finally, the best thing you can do for your white teeth? Have regular checkups with your dentist, especially if they are a dentist serving Manahawkin.