Did You Know Summer Can Wreak Havoc On Your Teeth?
By GALTime.com's Kerri Winick and Andrea Krivelow of Celebutante Sisters
From picnics to barbeques, swimming to sunbathing, Summer festivities are enough to put a smile on anyone's face. But chew on this: everything from the type of water you swim in to the seasonal foods you eat to the shade of lipstick you wear can affect those pearly whites. A smile is one of your best accessories, so why not keep it bright and healthy ? We're totally drooling over these tips from Dr. Ramim Tabib and Dr. Elisa Mello of NYC Smile Design. Check them out!
Ocean vs. Pool
Chlorine, which is often used in swimming pools, can erode and weaken teeth; whereas, the ocean's salt water decreases bacteria in the mouth providing a healthy oral environment, making ocean activities your optimal choice.
What to do to protect your teeth if you're exposed to pool water.
Limited Sun Bathing
There are many reasons why people shouldn't lay out in the sun, but when it comes to teeth, casual and limited sun exposure is beneficial as it increases Vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential to maintaining a healthy smile.
Refreshing Summer Snacks
Fruit is always a popular summer snack, so it is important to know which fruits are better for your teeth. Watermelon helps clean teeth and gums due to high water content, but citrus fruits like clementines and grapefruit can cause erosion. If you love citrus fruits, rinse your mouth with water after you eat to wash away the harmful acids that can weaken the enamel.
Natural Remedies For Teeth Whitening
Strawberries are considered natural remedies for teeth whitening. Rub them on your teeth daily to remove all stains. Rubbing the inside of an orange peel on your teeth can also help whiten, or try brushing teeth with a mixture of apple cider and vinegar.
Create homemade whitening strips.
Maintaining Hydration
Activities in the summer heat often lead to dehydration and dry mouth, which can cause serious tooth decay. Sucking on hard candies that are artificially sweetened or chewing on sugar-free gum is ideal to help promote the production of saliva, eliminating this problem. Saliva can also help neutralize and buffer the acids in the mouth.
Look for gum with Xylitol, such as Spry. Xylitol has been shown to be effective against tooth decay. It is also important to drink lots of water.
Ways to "erase" red wine stains:
Always brush after you drink. This will help prevent stain build-up. Remember to floss, as well.
Rub a lemon wedge against teeth to rid of the red color. However, while rubbing with a lemon wedge can help with getting rid of discolorations, too much of a good thing can actually de-mineralize the teeth and remove layers of enamel.
Baking soda and salt can erase wine stains if you mix and then rub on your teeth.
The cheese that accompanies wine also helps, as the calcium
acts as a buffer to the acids.
Finally, swish with water and chew on bread to prevent stronger red wine stains.
Shades of lipstick that make teeth appear whiter:
Red and pink shades work best to make your teeth appear whiter. If they have a glossy finish, that also helps.
Avoid orange or peach colored lipstick. Your teeth will appear more yellow
Do you have any tricks for whiter teeth? Let us know!
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