Expert advice on how to keep your teeth looking their winter whitest

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With winter underway, many of us look forward to cozying up with a good book and a hot cup of coffee or warming up in front of the fireplace whilst sipping on a glass of red wine.

Whilst the above seem like comforting ways to soothe and keep the body warm, unfortunately, they can also wreak havoc on our teeth.

We asked Registered Dental Hygienist, Teeth Whitening and Aesthetic Specialist, Emma King, to share some of her top tips to maintaining pearly whites throughout winter.

“Anything that can stain a white tablecloth will stain your teeth. Drinks like coffee, tea and red wine are some of the biggest culprits of stained teeth. If you do consume them, then it’s best to minimize your intake of them. To help cleanse the mouth, one should always drink a glass of water after consuming these drinks and chew a piece of xylitol chewing gum. Only chew the gum until the flavour has gone and try stick to a maximum of three to four pieces per day,” suggests Emma.

“The same principle applies to foods that stain. Foods such as beetroot, berries, rare meats, curries, or anything with a naturally bright or rich colour can dim your grin.”

“If your teeth have become discoloured, there are a few things you can do that will help you achieve healthy, beautiful white teeth,” says Emma.

Professional Teeth Whitening  

“Philips Zoom (the world’s leading whitening brand), offers a wide range of both in-chair and at-home products that ensures up to 8 shades whiter in as little as 45 minutes, excluding prep time. Once you have achieved your desired whitening result you only need to touch up at home once a month using your customized bleaching trays and gel which will be provided to you at your appointment. Whenever you feel like the colour may have faded slightly, all you need to do is wear the trays for a few consecutive days and get them back to their whitest. Always ask your dentist or oral hygienist for advice when it comes to bleaching your teeth and keeping them looking their best.”

Whitening Toothpaste 

“Professional whitening toothpaste is less damaging to the enamel than most over-the-counter ones and while they won’t change the colour of your teeth they will keep the bacteria under control and remove surface stains,” says King.

Oral Hygiene 

King also suggests that maintaining a good oral hygiene regime will help keep your teeth whiter for longer. “The fewer bacteria and deposits that collect on the surface of the teeth, the less staining that gets drawn into the teeth,” she says.

King also suggests brushing your teeth twice a day with a medium to soft manual or electric toothbrush, ensuring that the heads are replaced every 2-3 months.

“Everyone should floss at least once a day. Consider using a water flosser such as the Waterpik® instead of or in addition to regular floss, says Emma.” Clinically proven to remove plaque and improve gum health, the Waterpik® Water Flosser is an easier and more effective alternative to ordinary flossing. In addition to dislodging plaque and food debris, the Waterpik® Water Flosser also helps to prevent gum disease and inflammation by flushing away bacteria responsible for gingivitis, bleeding of the gums and other oral infections.

Emma also suggests using an antibacterial toothpaste in conjunction with an alcohol-free mouthwash. “This combination helps to control the bacteria in the difficult to reach areas such as between your teeth, on the tongue, back of the tongue/throat area, and in the pockets around the teeth which leads to bad breath. Products containing alcohol dry out the mouth and exacerbate the problem. It also decreases the natural cleansing in the mouth, making it more difficult to remove any debris/ bacteria that was missed the day before. Breath Rx, a complete oral health management system, helps fight the bacteria that cause bad breath, decay and gum disease. The mouthwash, tongue spray and toothpaste is all alcohol-free, and contains the antibacterial ingredients,” she concludes.

For more information on Zoom Whitening and Breath Rx, visit www.zoomwhitening.co.za.

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