Brush up on your everyday maintenance
“You’ve heard it before, and I’ll say it again: floss your teeth every single day,” says Dr. Russo, noting that toothpicks, business cards, and water picks don’t count (these products just stab at your gums and don’t remove plaque). Instead, use a string dental floss to keep the plaque off your teeth. Russo recommends either a Glide floss or floss sticks like Plackers, which are bent a little at the end to give the floss a little more slack to curve around your tooth. Pro tip: Floss first and then brush, which will in turn make your tooth-cleansing more effective. Dr. Russo recommends using a non-abrasive toothpaste—just look for “enamel protect” on the tube.
Lay Off the Sauce for Pearly Whites
Believe it or not, pasta sauce is notorious for causing unsightly stains on the porous surfaces of the teeth. It’s easily absorbed into the enamel, leaving an ugly tint behind. Of course, that’s not the only ‘sauce’ that could be changing your tooth shade. Red wine is another notorious culprit, as are other darkly tinted beverages like coffee and tea. If you’re a frequent pasta-eater or wine-drinker, consider a switch to white versions instead. Alternatively, you could make a point to brush your teeth immediately after consuming dark foods (but never before).
