Is your smile not as dazzling as it used to be? Time and habits can take a toll on our teeth and embarrass us into giving close-lipped smiles instead of wide grins. But getting a brighter beam can be as easy as avoiding dark drinks and choosing certain makeup shades over others. Read on for other tips that’ll put that twinkle back in your teeth.
Wear that silver necklace
Gold jewelry can bring out any discoloration in your teeth. White or silver jewelry, however, will make teeth look whiter.
Reach for the red lipstick
Not only will you feel sexier, but your smile will look radiant with red lip color. Dark or blue-based lipsticks also make your smile brighter. Pink and orange shades can have the same effect as gold jewelry and make teeth look yellow.
Don’t wear white clothes
Wearing white clothes can diminish the brightness of your smile.
Have an apple a day
Munching on an apple will keep the doctor and the dentist away. The fruit activates saliva, which can remove stains from your teeth. Other snacks to chew on: Celery, pears, carrots and sugarless gum.
Brush with baking soda
Your grandma probably did this to whiten her smile back in the day: Put some baking soda on your toothbrush and scrub away. But don’t do this too often, as it can wear away your tooth enamel.
Sip white wine instead
Dark foods and drinks, such as coffee, blueberries and red wine, can stain your teeth. If you have to consume them, sip them through a straw and brush your teeth immediately afterward. Or trade them in for water, ginger ale, chamomile tea and white wine.
Dab food coloring on your gums
This tip may sound a little extreme, but makeup artists swear by it: Try gently rubbing red food coloring onto your gums. It will make your gums look healthier and your teeth appear whiter.
Don’t chuck that banana peel
Rub it on your teeth instead. The minerals in the fruit peel are said to soak into your teeth and help your smile shine. Apply the peel in a circular motion before or after brushing daily for the best results.
Get a cleaning
The twice-yearly cleanings at the dentist do more than just protect your pearly whites from peril: They also remove stains and plaque from your teeth. Make sure you keep your appointments to keep your teeth at their optimal glow.
Apply sunless tanner
You know how wearing white brings out a tan? The same applies in reverse for teeth — tan skin makes them appear whiter. Spray on a safe sunless tanner to give you and your smile an extra glow.
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