THE WHITE TEETH “DIET”: KEEPING YOUR
EXPENSIVE PEARLY WHITES PEARLY AND
WHITE
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Once you’ve labored to get your teeth to sparkle, protect your
investment. Limit your intake of dark foods and drinks -- such
as blueberries, raspberries, black coffee, tea, red wine, and
cranberry juice -- as well as cigarettes (for a million and one
health and beauty reasons). These can send your teeth right back
to dullsville. If you can’t wean yourself off coffee, add skim milk
and sip it through a straw. Dr. Golub-Evans created “the White
Teeth Diet.” Here are some of his ways to navigate around the
foods you love.
USE A SOFT TOOTHBRUSH. A hard toothbrush
seems like a good idea because it will help scrape off
stains or buildup, but actually, you want to go soft. Hard
toothbrushes are too abrasive and can erode the enamel.
Choose a soft toothbrush and change it every three to four
months (more often if you have had a cold, as the bristles
can trap bacteria).
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KEEP ON BRUSHING. Did you know that you’re suppose
to brush your teeth for two minutes? Full disclosure: Until
I started researching this, I didn’t realize that my Sonicare
electric toothbrush is programmed to shut off after two
minutes -- because I never kept it on for more than thirty
seconds.
And if you need more reasons to eat raw vegetables such as
cucumbers and celery, you’ll be happy to know that they scrub
away stains.
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FLOSS. Did you know that flossing could help you live
longer? Aside from helping remove gunk between your
teeth and gums, staving off the dreaded gum recession,
studies show that people who floss have a lower incidence of
heart disease. Yet only about 10 percent of Americans floss.
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GET PROFESSIONAL HELP. Every three months may
seem like a lot, but it’s the recommended time for teeth
cleaning and plaque removal with a dental hygienist.
Schedule a cleaning before a big event so that your teeth
sparkle from a professional polis