How To Keep Your Smile Whiter and Brighter After 40

How to Keep Your Smile Whiter and Brighter After 40

By the time most people are over 40, they’re well prepared for a lot of the challenges that come with aging. They usually understand the benefits of regular exercise and maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet. However, many people never consider how the aging process might affect their teeth until the day they notice their mega-watt smile isn’t nearly as brilliant as it used to be.

Age-related yellowness doesn’t only affect those that have decades of coffee consumption or smoking behind them. The bright, white enamel on the outside of your teeth tends to wear away naturally over time, allowing the dentin underneath to show through. Thankfully there are plenty of ways you keep your winning smile as beautiful and bright as it’s always been. The following are just a few examples.

1. Add Raw Fruits and Veggies to Your Diet

Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of any healthy diet, especially after 40, but they’re not just great for your ongoing digestive health. Snacking on fresh, raw produce as part of your daily routine can help your smile look fresher by cleaning and polishing your teeth naturally as you munch. Apples, carrots, celery, cauliflower, or cucumber are all excellent choices, but any crisp, crunchy option will do the job.

2. Be Wary of Food Stains

It isn’t just dark-colored beverages like coffee, cola, or wine to watch out for if you’re worried about staining teeth. Common foods like berries or tomato sauce can stain teeth just as easily as they can carpet, so it’s important to be aware. However, it’s not necessary to cut those foods out of your diet altogether. Just get into the habit of rinsing your mouth or brushing your teeth after consumption to promptly remove any residue.

3. Use the Right Toothpaste

Before you reach for the first box you see on the shelf, consider trying a multi-benefit toothpaste. One of my favorite options is Colgate Total SF, which delivers multiple benefits like sensitivity relief and enhanced enamel strength. Multi-benefit toothpaste protects all parts of your mouth – teeth, tongue, cheeks, and gums.  Can’t find what you want at your local grocery store? Colgate Total SF toothpaste is conveniently available on both the Colgate site and Amazon these days.

4. Start Using a Straw

Don’t despair if you love your morning espresso, an afternoon cup of Earl Grey, or an evening glass of Merlot. You can drastically minimize their ability to stain your teeth by drinking them through a straw instead of sipping them. Again, remember to brush or rinse afterward as well.

5. Get to Know Your Water

Fluoridated water helps keep tooth decay at bay, but it is possible to get too much of a good thing. If the fluoride levels in your city’s water supply are too high, they could be contributing to the appearance of yellowing teeth. If you think this might be a concern where you live, you can find out for sure using this interactive map from the CDC.

Being able to smile with absolute confidence is an important part of aging with grace, so don’t settle for anything less. Keeping your teeth white, healthy, and bright is as easy as making a few simple adjustments to your oral care routine. How will you keep your smile looking million-dollar white?