Nights in whites- Femina

It’s party time. You’re dressed to kill in your hot little number and the perfect make-up. You look in the mirror and a smile of contentment spreads on your face. That’s when you notice it...Your teeth! Amidst the sheer glow, a yellowish tone replaces your smile with a frown. You change the lipstick into a darker shade thinking it would be able to camouflage the sallow appearance of your teeth but in vain. These 32 choppers in your mouth not only help you talk and chew, but can also make or break your appearance. Here are some handy tips.

Brush up
Want to get all the bacteria-packed plaque out? Then you need to at least brush for two whole minutes! But brushing with force is not the best way to remove plaque. That will damage the tooth enamel. Make sure that you don’t scrub too hard. Chuck your toothbrush or change the head of your electric toothbrush every two to three months.

The white-teeth diet
Blame your food for your far from perfect teeth! So if you binge on red wine, black tea, cigarettes or cigars, colas, and dark juices, the end result will be - stained teeth. If you can’t stay away from your morning cuppa of black tea, or your post lunch fag, make sure that you brush your teeth right away. But if there isn’t a toothbrush around, or you’re at work, just eat an apple - the pectin in apples neutralises food odours and provides a sort of bleaching action. Eat food that is rich in Vitamin C as it helps maintain healthy teeth and gums. Avoid sugary foods. Include carrots, celery, and corn in your meals.

Teetotaller
Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash.
Alcohol dries out the tissues in your mouth, making them vulnerable to bacteria.
And more...

Here are some toothy quick fixes!

• Gargle with apple cider vinegar. It helps remove stains, whiten teeth, and also kill the bacteria.

• Brush with baking soda once a week. It helps in removing stains by providing a bleaching action. You can also use salt as alternative toothpaste.

• Use your teeth as tools for only eating, and not as a bottle opener substitute.

• To clean the inside surfaces of your top and bottom front teeth and gums, hold the brush almost vertical. With back and forth motions bring the front part of the brush over the teeth and gums.

Combine these tips along with the usual brushing and flossing, and show off your pearly whites while partying.

Did you know?
That the Chinese invented the toothbrush. They made natural bristle brushes with bristles from the necks of cold climate pigs.
The first real electric toothbrush was produced in 1939, in Switzerland.
Some electronic toothbrushes have timers that let you know when
2 minutes are up.
Saliva has some ability to counteract the effect of the acid produced by bacteria as it contains some minerals that help repair tooth enamel.