There’s something about a bright and white smile that projects confidence and good health—it’s no wonder that so many people are in search of ways to improve the look and luster of their smiles! While there are plenty of “miracle” cures and fad cleaning techniques for whiter teeth, there are certain tried and true ways to keep teeth white that also improve your overall oral health.  Do you need teeth whitening in Germantown, MD? We are a dentist located in Germantown, MD.

Eat more vegetables.

Didn’t your mom teach you anything? Eating more vegetables seems to have benefits in all types of health, whether it’s weight loss, digestion, skin quality, energy, and basically any other positive health benefit you can think of. But eating vegetables also helps with white teeth in two ways. First, the abrasive nature of vegetables can actually scrape bacteria and food particles off of your teeth, slowing the rate of tooth decay. Second, vegetables are very filling and do very little damage to your teeth in terms of decay. If you’re eating more vegetables, you’re probably eating less sugary and acidic foods, which will lead to less tooth decay and whiter teeth in the long run. Listen to your mother, and eat your vegetables—your smile will thank you for it.

Use whitening toothpaste.

A classic staple among dentists and patients alike, whitening toothpaste is a great option for whiter teeth, especially in between cleanings from your dentist. Hydrogen peroxide toothpaste is also a great option for keeping your teeth white.

But it’s not just about your toothpaste. We’ll save the long lecture for the dentist’s office—brush twice a day, every day to retain your white smile and great oral health.

Clean your tongue.

Your tongue is a hotbed for bacteria—and the more bacteria that are in your mouth, the faster your teeth will decay and experience oral health ailments. That’s why it’s important to gently brush or scrape your tongue to remove bacteria and debris. It’s easy to overlook the tongue when it comes to oral health—but if you put in the extra tongue time, you’ll see better teeth whitening results.

Eat (or drink) some dairy.

Do you love cheese more than anything on the planet? If your answer is “you feta believe it,” you’re in luck—eating foods high in calcium like cheese, milk, and yogurt can make your teeth whiter over time. Calcium keeps your tooth enamel strong, helping your teeth be more resistant to bacteria and acid attacks, and harder cheese can actually remove food particles that eat away at your teeth. It’s a “gouda” thing.

Get frequent dental checkups.

Ultimately, going to the dentist is the best possible way to keep your teeth clean and white—you must go twice per year for the healthiest teeth possible. That’s where Clopper’s Mill Dental Care can help. Voted the top dentist in the greater Germantown area, Clopper’s Mill provides advanced dental services in a state-of-the-art medical facility and has friendly dental professionals to make your routine appointment simple and easy. Schedule an appointment with us today!