NATURAL TEETH WHITENING

NATURAL TEETH WHITENING

It's National Dental Hygiene Month!

And boy do I LOVE dental hygiene!  In my former life I did some time as a Dental Assistant so when it comes to healthy teeth, I am a huge advocate.  True Fact: I never leave the house without dental floss.  Even before a sweater or my phone, I will double check to make sure I've got floss at hand.  Call me crazy, but I've never had a cavity so something must be working.

Following is a cheap and easy way to brighten your smile using two simple ingredients you can find in your fridge: strawberries and baking soda. I remain a little wary when it comes to the combination of baking soda and teeth - even avoiding toothpastes which list baking soda as an ingredient - because baking soda actually strips enamel from your teeth, making them appear whiter and brighter, but also making them less strong and more susceptible to decay.  So the below tip is intended to reserve for a Business Meeting or Date Night and other once-in-awhile opportunities where your smile needs just a little extra somethin'-somethin'.

The secret to this inexpensive home whitening method is malic acid, which acts as an astringent to remove surface discoloration. Combined with baking soda, strawberries become a natural tooth-cleanser, buffing away stains from coffee, red wine, and dark sodas. While it’s no replacement for a bleaching treatment at your dentist’s office, “this is a fast, cheap way to brighten your smile,” says Adina Carrel, DMD, a dentist in private practice at Manhattan Dental Arts in New York. “Be careful not to use this too often, though, as the acid could damage the enamel on your teeth.”

You need:
1 ripe strawberry
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions: Crush the strawberry to a pulp, then mix with the baking soda until blended. Use a soft toothbrush to spread the mixture onto your teeth. Leave on for 5 minutes, then brush thoroughly with toothpaste to remove the berry–baking soda mix. Rinse. (A little floss will help get rid of any strawberry seeds.) Carrel says you can apply once a week.

PS:
When it comes to the professional care of my teeth, I only trust one person:  Dr. John Aspros, D.D.S. (located in NE Portland, Lloyd District) and his knowledgeable and talented team of employees.  Dr. Aspros is one of the many dentists I worked for during my stint in the dental industry, and the only one I would ever trust with my loved one's and my teeth.  He has the knowledge and skill as well as impeccable bedside manner, which makes him tops in my book.

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