Image: White smiles from Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Lawrence, via Getty
White teeth tend to be high on everyone’s beauty wish-list – and you don’t need to be 21 years old in order for that dream to come true. Here, The Glow’s resident dentist Dr Priya Lal offers her beauty buys and tips for keeping your teeth as white as possible at each stage of your life.
In your 20s
What’s happening?
Dark foods and drinks may have caused your teeth to discolour and appear yellow. Teeth may have hardened plaque/tartar making them prone to temporary surface stains because substances adhere to sticky plaque.
What can I do?
Follow a consistent three-step routine from as early as possible for your smile to age gracefully. Brush your teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush for at least two minutes twice daily, then floss and brush your tongue. To keep plaque under control, seek regular dental checkups and get professional cleanings every 4-6 months. This will help remove plaque buildup and the stains in-between teeth.
In your 30s
What’s happening?
In addition to surface stains, you may also experience internal stains as teeth begin to age. Everyday wear and tear thins the outer enamel surface making the inner, darker layer of our teeth more visible. Parafunctional habits such as teeth grinding and jaw clenching also exacerbate the problem, and become more visible at this stage of life.
What can I do?
To ease surface stains, use whitening toothpaste once a week. If you have the money, you could consider investing in customised whitening trays from your dentist (about $450). Remember that bleaching trays are only to be used for the amount of time recommended by your dentist; overuse can damage your enamel and make your teeth appear grey or transparent.
