Even though healthy teeth are extremely resilient, there may come a point when you notice that your smile is a bit dingier than you would like it to be. Tooth stains are a common problem that almost everyone will have to deal with at some point, and that is just one of the reasons why it is so important to be proactive about your oral health. Here are four simple dental health tricks you can use to maintain a bright and beautiful smile in the coming years.

Snack on Detergent Foods

A detergent food is any fruit or vegetable that has a high fiber content and relatively little sugar. As they are being eaten, these foods will physically remove some of the bacteria that is hidden inside the microscopic pores of your teeth. That bacteria could eventually result in surface stains if it isn’t removed multiple times a day. Carrots, apples, celery sticks, cucumbers, and pears are all excellent options for a quick snack between meals.

Keep a Bottle of Water with You at All Times

Drinking eight or more glasses of water every day is one of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your teeth vibrant and healthy. In addition to removing food debris from your teeth, water can also prevent common oral health issues such as chronic dry mouth. Any beverages that are dark or full of sugar should be consumed in moderation.

Schedule Annual Professional Whitening Treatments

No matter what steps you take to protect your teeth, you might need to consider professional help at some point. An experienced cosmetic dentist, like Jay A Hollander DDS or someone similar in your area, can use advanced products and techniques to gently lift stains on the outside of your teeth. Most whitening treatments take around one hour to complete, and the results will easily last for months with the proper hygiene habits and diet.

Take a Daily Supplement

An ongoing nutritional deficiency could result in any number of health conditions that impact the appearance of your teeth. Most of your vitamins and minerals should come from the foods that you eat, but a high-quality supplement will help you quickly take care of any deficiencies you are struggling with. The supplement that you choose needs to contain plenty of calcium, vitamin D, iron, magnesium, and vitamin C.

If none of these tips improve the appearance of your smile, then you need to immediately contact your dentist and schedule a checkup. Some stains take place below the surface of a tooth, and that type of discoloration is often the result of more severe health issues.