It’s not uncommon for people to spend a lot of money trying to perfect their smile, often splurging on expensive treatments. Costly whitening treatments and very frequent dentist visits are not the only way to achieve excellent oral health.
On the contrary, inexpensive treatments can do wonders for your teeth. Here are some ways you can keep your teeth healthy and bright without breaking your budget.
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Brush regularly and floss. Daily oral hygiene routines are crucial for keeping your mouth healthy. Be sure to brush at least twice a day. Floss daily, too. Your toothbrush can miss a lot – flossing well can make a huge difference in oral health.
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Use a fluoride rinse. After brushing and flossing, swish fluoride rinse for a minute. This added step strengthens the outer layer of your teeth, which means they’re less likely to show signs of decay. Not only that, but the rinse can also reduce tooth sensitivity.
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Massage toothpaste into your teeth. Researchers in Sweden found that massaging fluoride-rich toothpaste into your teeth can be an effective way to keep teeth strong. Massaging, opposed to brushing, can quadruple the amount of fluoride protection gained through applying toothpaste. Performing it once a day – after lunch, for example – can give the health of your teeth a boost.
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Avoid soda. Fizzy drinks are some of the worst culprits for triggering tooth decay. Packed with sugar and phosphoric acid, soda slowly dissolves your teeth. Some researchers have gone as far to claim that these acidic beverages are roughly as harmful to teeth as consuming battery acid would be. Switch to healthier options for the sake of your smile. If you can’t tear away from soda, rinse your mouth with water immediately after you’ve consumed something fizzy. That helps cut down on your tooth enamel’s exposure to decay-causing acids.
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Munch on crunchy foods. Snack on foods like apples and carrots for healthier teeth. They have a texture that is abrasive enough to help clean the surface of your teeth without ruining enamel. Not only do they assist in lifting stains, but they also stimulate saliva production, which plays a crucial role in protecting teeth against decay.
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Include dairy into your daily diet. Foods packed with calcium, like cheese and yogurt, aid in the development of your teeth. Cheese, in particular, is good for your teeth. It stimulates saliva production, which protects against decay. It also promotes remineralization of tooth enamel, which means it helps teeth-strengthening minerals deposit on the teeth. It can also help offset negative effects of acidic drinks by increasing calcium in plaque.
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Drink green tea. Green tea is packed with catechins, which is an antioxidant that can play a role in reducing periodontal disease. It helps reduce inflammation in the gums, which is a side effect of the disease. The more green tea you drink, the more you reap the benefits.
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Whiten your teeth by mixing strawberries with baking soda. If you want whiter teeth, but don’t want to buy an expensive whitening kit, try this homemade alternative. Simply crush strawberries with baking soda, and then softly apply the mix to your teeth. Leave it on for no more than five minutes. Brush away the mixture with toothpaste to reveal a whiter smile. Be careful not to apply this blend too often, as too much exposure to baking soda is bad for tooth enamel.
There’s no need to break the bank for healthy, white teeth. You have plenty of inexpensive alternatives that can leave you with both an enviable smile and some extra money to spare.
Guest post contributed by Clare York, on behalf of The Invisible Orthodontist. Claire has a background in oral health after many years as a dental nurse. She's now a freelance health writer helping companies like The Invisible Orthodontist reach new audiences online.
Fleen says
I’ll work on those tips as I’m facing lot of teeth problems. Thanks a lot for sharing that great stuff!
Eric Steinbicker says
Great points! I especially agree with fluoride rinse. I often prescribe fluoride rinse to my dental patients. The most common rinse is called ACT restoring rinse with fluoride. It’s often overlooked as an easy way to help prevent tooth decay or even help remineralize areas of incipient lesions (the start of tooth decay). Some people don’t realize that incipient lesions or small areas of tooth decay can sometimes reverse through the use of fluoride.
Great article though, keep up the good work.
Eric Steinbicker, Mebane, NC
Mendelsohn says
Good oral hygiene and regular visits as well as the dentist will enable you to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
The only biggest advance in oral health has actually been fluoride, which strengthens enamel, making it more unlikely that to decay. Three out of four Americans stay hydrated that’s fluoridated. If your water isn’t fluoridated, consult with your dental professional, that might suggest placing fluoride application on your teeth. Many toothpastes and mouth rinses also contain fluoride. Fluoride must be used sparingly in toddlers — no more than a pea-sized dab on the toothbrush. Too much could cause white spots on teeth.
Paige says
Drinking soda is one of the commonest problems I see among people I know. I’m aware that many people love the taste but you really need to balance that against the cost to your teeth. To me, either increasing my chances of tooth decay, or having to brush my teeth after every drink, really doesn’t seem worth the effort when water won’t harm your teeth and is the best thing around for staying properly hydrated.
BlissPlan says
You are so right! But I’m one of those who drinks a Dr. Pepper, a carbonated drink, every day so I know that it’s tough to stop. Heck, I don’t even WANT to stop even though I know you’re right. What I do is an oil-pulling session right after my one drink of the day and it helps my teeth.