As much as we tell each other that it’s what is on the inside that counts, the hard truth is that your outward appearance is what you will often be judged on. White teeth can play an important part in a good first impression, opening important doors in your life.
It is human nature to analyse visual input and make decisions on character before a single word is spoken. Most people don’t have the money or the desire to undertake painful and expensive surgery. The best way to make a good impression on a first date, job interview or important event is to look the best you can.
Proper clothing, grooming and hygiene are important, and a bright smile can be one of the best keys to a positive impression. Knowing your teeth are sparking can also help you exude confidence in any situation.
The first key is examining your habits. Here are some regular every day causes of discoloration and what you can do about them:
Coffee
Coffee – In today’s fast-paced, low-sleep world coffee has become a daily necessity for many busy people. The dark color of coffee will stain any surface, whether it’s a t-shit or your pearly whites.
The more you drink the more your teeth will be stained. If you are a frequent coffee drinker, keeping up frequent brushing and good oral hygiene will help slow the staining process.
Cola
Cola – The popularity of Cola is something that helps keep dentists in business. Not only do to the sugars in cola wear away tooth enamel and contribute to cavities, but the dark color makes them another prime culprit in tooth staining, for the same reasons as coffee.
Fruit Juice
Fruit Juice – Any dark fruit juice will stain your teeth, the most obvious one being grape juice. Grape juice is full of anthocyanins, which gives grapes their purple or red colors. Anthocyanins are a great anti-oxidant and a key part of a healthy diet.
Unfortunately, the pigment also stains teeth. Some fruit juices also have just as much sugar as cola and will wear away tooth enamel.
Alcohol
Alcohol – Many types of alcohol contain dark pigments that will stain your teeth. A prime example is wine. Just like grape juice, red wine is loaded with anthocyanin pigments. Some wine enthusiast suggest rinsing your mouth with water or white wine after drinking red in order to slow the staining process.
Smoking
Smoking – We’ve all heard about the many negative health affects of smoking, such as heart disease and cancer. Smoking is also a big culprit for the discoloration of teeth. Quitting smoking is obviously a good choice, but even after quitting your teeth can still be stained from years of tobacco use.
Today many people are weary of possible side effect caused by harsh chemicals that may be in many commercial teeth whitening products. Here are a few natural remedies and products to consider if you’d like to create a whiter smile:
Baking soda
Baking Soda – A long standing home remedy, baking soda can be used in a variety of ways to whiten teeth. Some people swear by brushing once a week with a paste made of baking soda and water, others sprinkle some onto their regular tooth paste before brushing 2-3 times per week.
The web holds a number of other baking soda based whitening formulas for tech savvy searchers. Although baking soda can work, it has to be used frequently, but over use can actually be too abrasive and wear away tooth enamel.
Olive Oil
Olive Oil – One home remedy is to soak a cotton swab or dry cosmetic pad with olive oil. Practitioners recommend you rub all visible teeth with the olive oil for approximately 10 minutes then brush your teeth as you normally would.
This method is known for being very low impact and often necessitates you repeat the process several times consecutively. This method can become very time consuming, and may not be the best option if you don’t have up to an hour to spend on teeth whitening at least twice per week.
Peroxide
Peroxide – Peroxide is well known for its bleaching effects. One method often used is to combine two fluid ounces of hydrogen peroxide with three ounces of water and then rinse your mouth with the formula for several minutes the same way you would with mouth wash. It’s important to note that overuse of peroxide can also damage your teeth and that peroxide should never be swallowed as it can make you very ill.
Laser Teeth Whitening
Laser Teeth Whitening – A newer more high tech option available at your dentist’s office. UV lasers are shone through a special machine directly at your teeth and the effects simulate the same effect as tooth bleaching. Although the UV laser treatment does offer immediate results, it can be expensive and can damage teeth just like bleaching if done often. The full health effects of the laser radiation are yet to be fully studied and could potentially be harmful.
Regardless of how you choose to whiten your teeth, it can’t be denied that everyone is attracted to a bright, white smile. When you are looking forward to an important event or meeting, don’t overlook the importance of making sure that your teeth are at their whitest. It could be the key to landing the big job or making a connection with that important someone!
