Top Tips for a Whiter Smile from Pennino Family Dentistry
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BARRINGTON, Ill. - illiNews -- Here are some tips to help keep your teeth healthy and your smile bright.

Brush Your Teeth
Dentists recommend brushing twice a day. Remember, brushing harder isn't the answer. Brushing too hard can be harmful to your gums and may cause sensitivity and tooth erosion.
Brushing with toothpaste that has baking soda in it may help whiten your teeth. Though it won't work overnight, doing it consistently will help remove extrinsic stains and reduce yellowing.
Try using an electric toothbrush. Toothbrushes that vibrate or have oscillating brush heads can be very effective at removing plaque, which will keep your teeth healthy and ward off stains.

Avoid foods and drinks that cause stains.
One of the easiest ways to keep your teeth white is to stay away from certain foods and drinks that are known to cause stains. Some common teeth-staining foods are berries, beets, marinara, and BBQ sauce. Drinks that cause stains include coffee, tea, dark sodas, and red wine. If you can't cut these things out of your diet completely, you can minimize staining by rinsing your mouth with water within 30 minutes of having these items.

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Quit smoking.
Tobacco and nicotine leave behind residue on your teeth, causing brown and yellow stains. Over time, stains from smoking can become darker and harder to remove. Not only does smoking affect the whiteness of your teeth, it also causes plaque to build up and it damages your gums, which leads to overall poor mouth health and the possibility of disease. Though teeth-whitening treatments may help improve the appearance of your teeth in the short-term, stains will reappear if you continue smoking.

Maintain a healthy diet.
Maintaining a healthy diet helps to preserve your enamel, which protects your teeth from stains and keeps your smile bright. Eat calcium-rich foods like cheese, yogurt, and milk to repair your enamel. Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs are excellent sources of phosphorus, which also restores your enamel. Apples, nuts, and raw vegetables help whiten your smile by scrubbing your teeth as you chew and by removing plaque. Also, apples and strawberries contain high amounts of malic acid, which helps remove surface stains.

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One main ingredient to avoid is sugar. Sugar is the main culprit of tooth decay and tooth erosion. Candy, sweets, soda, and lemonade harm your enamel and make you susceptible to cavities, yellowing, and stains.

Visit your dentist for regular cleanings.
Getting your teeth cleaned regularly will ensure you're keeping up with removing tartar and plaque buildup. Tartar and plaque can be hard to remove by brushing alone, so visiting your dentist for a professional cleaning is an excellent way to brighten your smile.