Originally posted on http://www.ottawalife.com/article/5-tips-to-get-terrific-teeth?set_lang=en

Many people get self-conscious of having discoloured or wonky teeth. Taking a few steps to improve your teeth could help you to be proud of your smile and could make you more confident. Here are just a few ways to achieve terrific teeth.

Improve your brushing technique

Having a good dental regime is essential. We should all be brushing our teeth morning and night for two minutes at a time. When brushing, make sure that you’re using the right technique – this involves brushing in small circles with the bristles at a 45 degree angle to the teeth. Make sure to only apply light pressure – a lot of people brush too hard and end up removing the enamel, which can make your teeth appear yellow due to the dentin underneath!

Use whitening toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste can help to remove stubborn plaque causing staining. This Ecodentatoothpaste contains activated charcoal, which can bond with plaque and help whiten teeth. There are also toothpastes out there containing ingredients such as baking soda and hydrogen peroxide that can also help to whiten your enamel.

Chew gum between meals

Chewing gum can be a useful habit to get into after meals – the gum can help to pick up plaque and prevent it from corroding at the teeth throughout the day. You should only chew sugarless gum, otherwise you’re putting more bacteria into your mouth. There are specialist whitening chewing gums on the market such as this Epic Xylitol gum.

Consider professional treatment

There are professional whitening procedures out there such as veneers and laser whitening which could be worth investing in if you want pearly white teeth fast. On top of these whitening procedures, there could be other forms of treatment to consider in order to improve your teeth. Orthodontic treatment as available from companies like Braces Heaven could help to straighten your teeth if they are wonky or have gaps. Meanwhile, tooth implants or fillings could be worth looking into if you have decay or a missing tooth.

Keep the bad stuff out of your mouth

You can also keep your teeth healthy and pretty by watching what you put in your mouth. Sugary foods and drinks are the worst offenders for causing discolouration and decay – this is because sugar helps bacteria to breed. Feel free to treat yourself to the odd sugary snack or drink, but don’t go overboard. Meanwhile drinks like coffee and red wine should also be drank in moderation as they contain rich natural colourants that can stain teeth. Habits like smoking can also discolour your teeth by coating them in tar and nicotine on top of being a leading cause of gum disease – quitting smoking could be the best way to preserve your teeth. It’s worth noting that there are some things you should consume more if you want to keep teeth healthy. Drinking lots of water is essential for the production of saliva and can keep your mouth clean, whilst foods that are rich in calcium such as milk, cheese and soya are great for strengthening enamel.