Ever wondered what the ‘sound of white’ is? Well, it sounds a bit like, ‘Hey, girl. What a nice smile you have!’
Yes, the pursuit of pearly whites can be expensive and time-consuming – two concerns mums don’t have a lot of room for on their parental plate.
But before you go throwing yourself beneath the gloved hands of a cosmetic dentist, there are a few things you can do from the comfort of your dining room chair to achieve that sort after Hollywood smile. Oral health expert, Rachel Pino, shares her tips for getting your chompers looking whiter and brighter.
Certain foods and drinks cause staining and discolouration and should be consumed in moderation. These include tea, coffee, red wine, soft drinks with dark pigment (eg. Coca Cola), curry, beetroot, soy sauce and don’t forget tobacco!
The good news is that there are foods which help brighten teeth. Start by drinking plenty of water as staying hydrated stimulates the flow of saliva which protects the teeth against decay. Fill up your snack bag with apples and celery as these crunchy textures help clean plaque off smooth teeth surfaces.
Tooth brush selection is also imperative. Make sure you select a soft bristled toothbrush and gently massage your teeth and gums twice a day for at least two minutes. Don’t forget the tricky to reach corners at the back of your mouth! Flossing daily removes plaque trapped between teeth that can’t be reached with your toothbrush.
If you can’t steer clear of your naughty vices, then you can try whitening toothpaste. A wide variety can be found in your local supermarket such as Colgate’s MaxWhite One Ice – a fluoride toothpaste with stain removal and tartar prevention which helps achieve whiter teeth in the space of a week.
Don’t put off your next trip to the dentist. At your next appointment in the chair, ask your dentist about professional bleaching options such as take home kits or in-chair light activated treatments. Your dentist can also reshape and realign your teeth to create symmetry and gaps can be closed if spacing is present. White fillings are also a fast and simple way to brighten your smile.
And don’t forget – once you’ve achieved your Hollywood smile… maintain it! Teeth don’t just stay put. Ensure you attend regular recall appointments with your dentist and if a problem arises address it as soon as possible.
Rachel Pino is Mother Driven's go-to oral health expert for all dentristy matters for mums and bubs. For more information about Rachel Pino's services, please contact enquiries@girlpr.com.au
If you're really after something to smile about, we are giving away two tubes of Colgate Max One Ice toothpaste! Enter now to win through Mother Driven!
