Today’s post is another by my roving reporter Finlay Mead, this time on how to make your teeth sparkling white.  I think we all aspire to a bright, gleaming smile, but some of the dental tips below may surprise you!

Yellow teeth

Last week, to my shame, marked my first visit to a dentist’s office in over four years. Between going to university, moving house and being a cash-strapped student, there always seemed to be some excuse for indefinitely postponing this much needed appointment.

After the initial thrill of being slowly tipped backwards in one of those increasingly hi-tech chairs, the reality of the situation quickly set in; ‘too much black coffee, too many cigarettes… your teeth are beginning to yellow’ said my straight-talking and all too observant dentist.

However, instead of wallowing in my own highly-caffeinated regrets, I thought a more productive use of time would be to write a post detailing how we can get our gnashers back to porcelain purity.

Back to basics

This almost seems too obvious to mention, but just because brushing your teeth can occasionally feel a little mundane doesn’t detract from the fact that it is by far the most important factor in the colour of your teeth! Brush at least twice a day for at least two minutes at a time; some dentists even recommend an extra brush after your midday meal, but I’ll forgive you for not wanting to take your nice clean toothbrush with you on the tube to work…

Again, this may seem old hat, but it’s worth running a couple of Google searches to “brush” up on your technique (see, this can be fun). Following up with mouthwash will help keep plaque at bay and give you that crystalline shine, whilst flossing before you brush will get any leftover munchies out of the gaps between your teeth, keeping the back and sides just as pretty as the fronts.

You are what you eat

But before we get carried away getting rid of all that lovely food, it’s worth considering how what you choose to eat can affect the colour of your teeth; in the same way you might make nutritional choices to aid the quest for a flatter stomach, lower cholesterol, or better digestion, we can make smarter choices for the benefit of our pearly whites.

As with all of the aforementioned goals, you’ll be unsurprised to hear that fruit and veg takes centre stage.

Studies from the Padjadjaran Journal of Dentistry have found that strawberries – specifically, their juice – are a superfood when it comes to teeth coloration; they contain malic acid, a key ingredient in searing away those stains. Apples combine the power of malic acid with a very high water content, helping to wash away the nasties as you crunch. Celery and carrots are deep cleaners too.

However, if fruit and veg isn’t your thing, try some cheese; the whiter and the harder the better – think cheddar, not brie. As well as providing a whopping dose of calcium (great for strong teeth) and stimulating enamel production (the stuff that lines your teeth), its hard surface provides a deep-clean to each and every side of your teeth.

Open wide

If you’re looking for something a little more instantaneous or oral-revolutionary, we need to take things up a notch. In recent years, the variety and availability of DIY whitening kits and gadgets has boomed. Some use UV light, some use small amounts of acid or bleach to clean the surface of the tooth, and some are safer than others. If you really want to go the DIY route pick wisely; bleaches can be extremely dangerous if applied incorrectly.

However, if a good oral hygiene routine in combination with a good diet just aren’t cutting the mustard for you, then it might be time to go pro. At the end of the day, dentists – love them or loathe them – are the only people truly qualified to do this kind of work.

Research your local dentist, visit a reputable dentist in London or even go to a cosmetics specialist, and you’ll be sure to find a range of treatments on offer; from basic stain removal to full porcelain veneers, these treatments are only getting more durable, more affordable, and more sparkling.