We know you want brighter and whiter teeth. You wouldn’t be reading this or visiting us here at Bayside Dentistry if you didn’t! Though the best results can only come after a visit to our office, there are some things you can do right in your own home to assist with making your teeth whiter. Here are some ideas:
What To Do:
Brush Your Tongue
Brushing your tongue is not purely about keeping your breath fresh. Your tongue gets bacterial buildup, and that buildup that often results in staining on your teeth. Brushing your tongue helps ease that problem.
Eat Raw Fruits and Vegetables
The saying that an apple a day keeps the dentist away is true! Raw fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, celery, carrots, and others help scrub away plaque and other elements that can stain, making them a nutritious way to maintain whiter teeth. Just don’t skip your visit to a dentist serving Forked River and Southern Ocean County, like Bayside Dentistry!
Use Apple Cider Vinegar
This is an organic teeth whitening technique you can try at home. Just rinse with apple cider vinegar. It’s that simple! Though not nearly as effective as the professional treatments you’ll get from your dentist – it’s not even close – it can offer pretty decent results and help you maintain some brightness. All you need to do is mix two parts water to one part apple cider vinegar and rinse.
Replace Your Toothbrush
You should be doing this no matter what! Keep in mind that due to bacterial buildup, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months, because worn bristles become increasingly less effective at cleaning your teeth as they wear down.
Rinse Your Mouth After Eating Citrus
Oranges, lemons and others are delicious, but they can be bad for your teeth due to their high acidity. Eat them as much as you want, but rinse with water after you’re done. Your teeth will thank you for it.
Visit Your Dentist
All of the above suggestions will help alleviate the staining effects that time, eating, and drinking will have on the whiteness of your teeth, but if you desire noticeably whiter and brighter teeth, you’re going to want to ask your dentist about teeth whitening in Ocean County.
What NOT to do:
Do Not Use Baking Soda
This all-purpose cleaning agent is often suggested, but proceed with caution! Baking soda can be abrasive, wearing away the enamel of your teeth and eventually causing them to darken.
Drink Too Many Energy Drinks
You already know to avoid coffee and tea, but did you know that energy drinks can wear at your teeth color, too? The team here at Bayside will confirm that these drinks are highly acidic, causing them to wear at your tooth enamel. If you have to drink them, consider using a straw to help avoid your teeth.
Don’t Gorge on Dark Foods
Marinara sauce, blackberries and blueberries, dark sauces for your pasta, and similar foods may be tasty, but they can stain your teeth. If you do eat them, brush promptly afterward!
Finally, the best thing you can do for your white teeth? Have regular checkups with your dentist!
Don’t let the tainted term “Jersey Shore” fool you. The coastal areas of New Jersey are a beautiful, relaxing place where people enjoy the beach lifestyle in friendly, down to Earth communities. It’s no wonder that real estate here is in high demand.
Because once you live at the shore, you never want to live anywhere else!
Don’t believe us? Go visit these fantastic Jersey Shore communities for a taste of what life is like here:
Manahawkin / Stafford
Manahawkin is the gateway to Long Beach Island, a beautiful little community that is technically a part of Stafford Township. It’s a warm, pleasant place to live filled with great people. That’s why we are proud to be a dentist serving Manahawkin!
Lavallette
Located just north of Toms River, this sleepy little beachfront community is nestled between the Barnegat Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It enjoys a close proximity to shore hotspots like Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights, but is itself a quiet town with plenty of local shops and neighbors who know one another. It’s a beautiful place to relax.
Ocean Beach
Technically part of Toms River, the quaint bungalows that make up most of Ocean Beach make this the perfect community for summer rentals or affordable retirements.
Beach Haven
This subdued community on Long Beach Island is as beautiful as it is quiet. It’s a small town in which everyone knows their neighbor. Longtime residents are common. It’s the ideal place to live if you like to have good friends nearby. Even better, it boasts easy access to the attractions in places like Barnegat and other nearby LBI communities.
Cape May
This historic town is filled with old inns, bed and breakfasts, and romantic getaways. Many of these home have been here since the 19th Century. This is a fantastic place to get away from it all, with great boat tours, secluded places to eat, and more.
Asbury Park
Asbury Park is back and in a big way. Once run down and decrepit, this town is now thriving with great restraints, shops, art galleries and more. It’s a town ideal for hip young people. The bar scene is excellent, the music scene even better, and there are good apartments available. If ever there was a welcome return to form at the shore, it’s the return of Asbury Park.
Wildwood
Sometimes called “The Wildwoods,” though that actually refers to several towns, Wildwood and the surrounding towns showcase the fun side of the Jersey Shore. With a lengthy boardwalk packed with games and rides and places to eat, and a town filled with things to do, eat, drink, see and enjoy, Wildwood is a weekender’s perfect getaway. No wonder it’s such a popular destination!
As you can see, the Jersey Shore is more than night clubs and boardwalks. It’s varied and interesting enough for almost anyone!
Take a look at your toothbrush. It is a familiar part of your daily routine, something you see early every morning (or at least we hope so) and just before bed every night (ditto). Your toothbrush is your friend
But the fact of the matter is, that toothbrush is probably due for replacing.
If you’re like a lot of people, you probably brush your teeth a little more energetically that you need to. With time, the brush’s bristles will begin to fray, looking like a used broom or paintbrush. The bristles may even be a touch off-white now, too. Those are all sure signs that it’s time to replace your brush with a new one.
And trust us, you don’t want to use a toothbrush that is past its useful life. If you do, it just won’t do the job that it’s designed to do.
If you brush your teeth the way we’ve taught you here at Bayside Dentistry, a dentist serving Manahawkin, Forked River, Barnegat and all of Ocean County, the signs might not be as obvious. They may not jump out at you, but small changes in your toothbrush will make it less effective in doing its job. They include:
- Slight curve/slant to the bristles – This can happen after using it over a long stretch of time. Though it can often be barely noticeable, this can prevent the bristles from reaching around the gum line and between your teeth.
- Loss of elasticity – Modern toothbrush bristles are made to be elastic and bendable. This is to allow the brush to provide the gentle sweeping movement necessary for the most effective brushing. As the bristles’ elasticity wears down, your brushing becomes less effective.
- Harboring bacteria – No matter how clean you keep your brush and its holder, over time bacteria will begin to make a home there. This makes fighting plaque and germs even harder.
A good rule of thumb is to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. If you are seeing the family here at Bayside regularly, you already know that having a new, fresh toothbrush is essential to your oral health. Some things we recommend to ensure it lasts a long while include:
- Air dry it; do not store it in a closed container. This helps prevent bacteria growth
- Rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after each use. This keeps the bristles flexible
- Don’t share your toothbrush with others! The reasons why should be obvious
- Brush firmly but gently. Many people brush too hard, wearing out their brush faster
- Replace it every 3-4 months
Doing what you can to make sure your toothbrush is well taken care of is one of the easiest things you can do to be sure you have good oral health. Doing so will guarantee that every time you brush, your teeth they are as clean as can be, your breath is fresh, and your future trips to Bayside will be as smooth as possible.
And let’s be honest, isn’t the whole reason you visit us here at Bayside in the first place to have healthy teeth?
The Jersey Shore is a beloved attraction that draws millions of people every year and generates billions of dollars in revenue for local businesses. People flock here in droves because there is a lot to do. Yes, you know about the beaches and night clubs and all the other things you see featured on MTV, but that’s not all the shore has to offer!
The reason so many turn out to the Shore? Because there is a LOT to do.
Here are things to do when you’re renting in Long Beach Island or visiting the Jersey Shore:
Nature & Dolphin Sighting – The Jersey Shore is known for its wild clubs and active nightlife, so it’s no surprise that a lot of people don’t realize that you have easy access to some of the most pristine coastline on the East Coast in state parks like Island Beach State Park. There are also many dolphin sighting trips that are an easy drive from Manahawkin, Barnegat, and Forked River.
Go Out To Eat – When you’re done relaxing in the sun or enjoying the sights of the shore, you’re going to want to grab something to eat. The good news is, the Jersey Shore is packed with great restaurants. Seafood restaurants are the most popular, with Italian eateries a close second – every town is guaranteed to have at least one excellent pizzeria – but if you want Thai, Mexican, traditional American cuisine, German food, sushi, Indian, and more, you’ll be able to find it here. The Jersey Shore is more ethnically diverse than you realize, and so is its cuisine.
Surfing – Grabbing a board and surfing on the waves is a big deal on the New Jersey coast. You see it from time to time on Long Beach Island, people taking to the waves and riding them for all they’re worth. Many don’t realize that on the East Coast, New Jersey is among the best surfing areas around. No wonder people come here!
Play Boardwalk Games – At the Jersey Shore, there are dozens of great games you can play at the boardwalks that grace our shores. From tossing this into that to banging that onto this, the type of games are varied. More importantly, the prizes are varied, too. You can win stuffed animals and shirts and all that, but you can also win toys, games and more. Most important of all is, you can have FUN.
Crabbing – Going crabbing is a popular pastime for locals and visitors alike. Whether casting your traps from a dock or a rented boat, the crabbing is excellent here, letting you and your family have fun while you catch dinner for the weekend!
Historical Sites – Did you know that the Jersey Shore was once home to famous pirates? Or that it was the site of battles during the American Revolution? From Barnegat Lighthouse to historic ships and more, the Jersey Shore is home to wonderful glimpses into yesteryear.
As you can see, there is a lot to do here. If you want more suggestions, contact Bayside Dentistry at 609-698-1155. We’ll be glad to give you some tips!