Our teeth always look white when our skin is brown – tanned and healthy. But how do we keep teeth looking white and bright after suntans are but a distant memory? There are many healthy ways to keep our pearlies shining beautifully; brushing them with a good quality natural toothpaste is just one but here are a few more methods that you may not be aware of! Our friends over at Jason have listed  5 natural ways to keep your teeth white long after the sun fades.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling (also known as ‘kavala’ or ‘gundusha’) is where oil is ‘swished’ around the mouth; in fact it’s quite similar to gargling a type of mouthwash. This method is traditionally an old-age remedy originally starting in India thousands of years ago but to this day it is still considered as a highly effective method to improve oral health as well as naturally whitening teeth, relieving headaches/migraines and helping people who suffer from various skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis & eczema.

The main theory behind swilling oil is due to the fact that oil can cut through plaque and remove harmful toxins & bacteria without damaging the mouth. Although having some plaque on your teeth is normal, too much of it can cause certain problems, for example bad breath, gum inflammation & cavities. Nowadays, most people use coconut oil during the oil pulling process due to its great antibacterial properties and the lovely taste it leaves in the mouth afterwards, regular users advise oil pulling to be done for at least 15-20 minutes a day for it to work successfully.

Diet

The best food choices that impact the overall health of your mouth include dairy products like cheeses, yogurts and milk, alongside, high-protein meats like chicken, beef and liver. Other products comprise of vegetables, nuts, eggs, green/black teas & sugarless gum. These are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to re-mineralize teeth.

Typical foods to avoid are starchy foods; crisps and soft breads can get stuck in your teeth and create a breeding ground for bacteria. It’s a helpful idea to try and avoid soft drinks and fruits like lemons & grapefruits likewise. Yes, they may be delicious but they contain citric acid, this particular acid erodes your tooth enamel leaving your teeth susceptible to cavities. While moderate consumption of citrus fruit is often nothing to worry about, regularly drinking fruit juice may cause irreversible damage over time.

 Not many people know this but alcohol is also considered dangerous for your oral health, the theory behind this is that alcohol is dehydrating; which in turn causes saliva to disappear. Saliva is absolutely essential! In it there are anti-bacterial agents which buffer acid and without it, it can lead to general tooth decay and erosion. Smoking is another aspect to be avoided at all costs; it can cause inflammation of the salivary gland openings on the roof of the mouth, increased loss of bone within the jaw and most worryingly, give you an increased risk of leukoplakia, gum disease and developing a nasty oral cancer. Finally, it can ruin you looks! Wrinkles will develop around your mouth, teeth will become discoloured and you will constantly suffer from bad breath; that doesn’t sound nice, does it?

Supplements to Consider

For teeth and gums to stay healthy, you need to require all the correct minerals. The most common one is calcium, described earlier in this article the best way of getting calcium is through dairy products. However, in case you don’t enjoy dairy food a great alternative would be to take calcium plus supplements. Vitamin D is another great mineral for your teeth. It can be taken in to the body from sunlight & can also be consumed orally. They’re not found in many foods but the few they are found in consist of oily fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel, fortified fat spreads and fortified cereals. Furthermore, one of the best daily supplements to get your vitamin D are cod liver oil tablets and these are sold at most natural health stores and even supermarkets.

WebMD conducted a study where ‘’ the researchers followed more than 140 older adults for five years. Participants took either a placebo or 500 mg of calcium plus 700 units of vitamin D daily for three years. Both during and after the trial, their teeth were examined periodically. And for those who took supplements, the likelihood of losing one or more teeth was 40% less, even two years later.’’

Drink Bottled Mineral Water

There are many benefits when it comes to drinking pure mineral water. Surprisingly, it can help you maintain a healthy body weight, it can improve bone health, it can properly absorb nutrients given from food & it can enhance your overall well-being. Many doctors recommend that you drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to stay completely replenished. At the end of the day, water is essential for your body to survive!

Water helps wash away food debris and keeps your saliva levels high, not only this, mineral water contains minerals such as, iron, calcium and magnesium. Unlike tap water it will also be free from added chemicals. The only time when mineral water loses its healthy properties is if flavoured with artificial sweeteners, sugars and colours.

Have a Good Oral Care Regimen

Keeping a regular oral care regimen is crucial for the health your mouth, teeth and gums. First and foremost, brushing twice daily (ideally once in the morning and once at night) is considered as the best task to do by the majority of dentists. To ensure effective cleaning it should not be rushed and should comprise of short gentle strokes paying extra attention to the gum line, hard-to-reach back teeth, and areas around fillings, crowns or other restoration. After a typically starchy meal, it’s recommended that you brush your teeth as soon as possible to remove any extra pieces and prevent the accumulation of bad bacteria.

Brushing teeth with a natural toothpaste has plenty more benefits than regular toothpastes, this is because they are made with fresh ingredients such as peppermint, spearmint and other herbs and not filled with chemicals, unlike many of their big corporation competitors. JASON All Natural toothpastes control tartar, deliver long-lasting fresh breath and keep your smile healthy, bright and beautiful. Their formulas are kosher-certified and free of sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates preservatives and propylene glycol. Not only this, they are available with or without fluoride.

Another task to include in your regimen is flossing. Unlike a toothbrush, the floss is a thin, soft thread either made from plastic or nylon and is specifically designed to clean the tight spaces in between teeth. In fact, The American Dental Association recommend flossing at least once a day to achieve optimal oral health.

Now, after all these top tips there’s no excuse not to have a dazzling smile all year round!