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Love That Smile? Five Tips to Keep It Bright

来源：网络发布时间：2009-12-19

　　Your smile is one of the first things people see, and it can send a powerful message. A bright, healthy smile shows you take pride in your appearance, and can even boost your self-esteem. Just like the rest of your face and body, the smile ages, and years of improper care can leave you with stains, chips, and even discomfort. So before you take your next sip of soda or another bite of sushi, consider these smile-saving tips.
　　1. Watch what you eat (and drink).
　　Dentists have long been advising patients to steer clear of foods and drinks that can stain the teeth. Coffee, tea, red wine, soy sauce, blueberries, and other dark foods and beverages are high on the list of stain-causers. But if you’re not willing to give up that morning coffee or glass of wine, just make sure you brush after indulging, or use a product designed to help prevent stains.
　　Just when we thought we knew it all, the latest research shows that even light-colored beverages—especially those that combine sugar and acid—can cause damage as well. Lemonade and white wine are two big ones to watch out for, since the acid-and-sugar combo can make your teeth’s enamel more porous, and more susceptible to stains from any dark foods and drinks you may ingest afterwards.
　　2. Don’t use your teeth as tools.
　　Who hasn’t used their teeth to open a bag of chips, or as an extra set of hands? Remember, our teeth were designed for chewing—not to replace a pair of scissors. Every time you use your teeth for something other than eating (pen-chewers take heed) you risk chipping or cracking your teeth. This can also become more than an aesthetic problem since cracks can lead to tooth sensitivity.
　　3. Beware of wear.
　　There’s a reason dentists advise their patients to use a soft toothbrush. The enamel on our teeth thins as we get older, and overzealous brushing with a hard toothbrush can make it erode faster. The enamel on our teeth serves a protective role, shielding the more sensitive parts of the teeth, and without this enamel you feel more sensitivity to hot and cold, and you’re more prone to staining. To further protect your enamel, avoid abrasive toothpastes and the aforementioned drinks that contain acid and sugar. There are also a variety of oral care products designed to reinforce the enamel, such as Crest Pro-Health Enamel Shield toothpaste and rinse. These products work by forming a thin shield on the teeth, reducing bacteria, and remineralizing the teeth to strengthen enamel.
　　4. Don’t over-whiten.
　　Tooth whitening has become a staple in our beauty regimens (well, mine at least). I’ve tried them all, including in-office professional treatments, and to be completely honest, over-the-counter strips are my favorite way to go. While the results are resplendent, over-whitening comes with a host of side effects. Tooth and gum sensitivity are the biggies, so limit your whitening to once, or at most, twice a year.
　　5. Make a date with your dentist.
　　As the Benjamin Franklin quote goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The number one way to keep your smile healthy and looking great is to get at least two professional cleanings and exams every year. Beyond detecting cavities and gum disease, your dentist can also recommend a variety of ways to improve your smile, before it’s too late and a major overhaul is in order.