Summer is here, we head to the beach, hopefully work a little less and let loose a bit more, many overlook a critical way to brighten your appearance, build your self-confidence and exude a look of health and wellness – – enhancing your smile. While having the right wardrobe, accessories and hair style for summer all play a role in a bright appearance, surveys reveal that one of the first things people notice about others is their smile. According to Dr. Timothy Chase, a 15-year veteran of cosmetic dentistry, a healthy smile, white teeth and healthy gums can take 10 years off your appearance.
Dr. Chase, D.M.D., is a practicing partner at SmilesNY, a leading cosmetic dentistry practice in New York City. He has made it his life’s work to educate patients about the significance of possessing a healthy smile as a critical indicator of overall health and wellness.
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“Some people do not realize how important it can be to take care of your teeth,” says Dr Chase. “Not only does a healthy smile make you look and feel better, but, dental health issues have been linked to systemic problems like heart and kidney issues and low birth weight in babies.”
Brushing and flossing are not always enough to keep your teeth shining their whitest. What you eat and what you do not eat can be a huge factor in how white your teeth are. Professional dentistry of course works the best, however, certain fruits and vegetables can aid in the quest for white teeth.
Dr. Chase offers his do’s and don’ts for foods to avoid and foods to load up on when whitening your smile:
Do’s
Certain foods help to remove bacteria that cause plaque which hardens into a yellowish tartar if not brushed away soon enough.
- Crunchy fruits and vegetables work best because they function as an abrasive scrub for your teeth. They also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps to keep plaque from forming:
- Apples
- Cauliflower
- Carrots
- Celery
- Strawberries and oranges are both useful for polishing teeth. Rubbing an orange peel or a strawberry over your teeth, following by washing out your mouth with water will get your noticeable whiter teeth after a few months
- Dairy products such as yogurt, milk and cheese contain a lactic acid which may help protect teeth against decay. Hard cheeses are best for whitening since they help remove food particles as well.
Don’ts
- It’s important to avoid stain-causing foods and substances as much as possible. A simple rule is any food which causes a stubborn laundry stain can stain teeth too. Brushing teeth or at least rinsing one’s mouth with water after consuming these foods is a great way to help prevent staining. Foods to avoid include:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Blueberries
- Red Wine
- Soy Sauce
- Tobacco
- Soda
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