Sandhya Raghavan
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Written By: Sandhya Raghavan | Updated : February 21, 2017 9:55 AM IST
It is rightly said that the smile is a curve that sets most things straight. But we doubt that a mottled and plaque-y smile would be able to set anything straight. Yikes! Sometimes, we underestimate the tooth-staining power some foods have, and our poor toothbrush can only do so much. The five odd minutes that we dedicate to oral hygiene every day before we dash to work is simply not enough to banish the plaque, the tartar and the hidden food particles in the crevices of our teeth. What you need is a simple yet effective cleaning system that can be put together with household products and kitchen ingredients. Don t wait till your next dental visit. Try this simple trick to clean your teeth today without burning a big hole in your wallet.
Ingredients:
A big wedge of a citrus fruit (sweet lime, orange or lemon)
3-4 squirts of your favourite toothpaste (preferably, the white one and not the gel variety)
Half a teaspoon of baking soda
A pinch of activated charcoal powder (optional)
A dry toothpick
A small spoon
Method:
Take the wedge of citrus fruit and bite down on it for a whole minute till the juice runs out. When you take it out, the soft flesh of the fruit will exhibit your teeth marks, creating a mould of sorts. In a dry bowl, put 3-4 squirts of your favourite toothpaste and add some charcoal powder to it. Take a clean toothpick and mix it together. Once it is combined, add the baking powder and mix it again quickly. Take the citrus wedge and apply the toothpaste on it. When you bite onto the wedge, your upper and lower rows of teeth should be thoroughly coated in the mixture. Keep the wedge in your mouth for a full 5 minutes. Leave it longer if your teeth need extra cleaning. Discard the wedge and brush normally with your toothbrush. Pay special attention to the underside of your teeth. Once you have brushed thoroughly, gargle as you would normally do.
The combination of toothpaste, activated charcoal and baking soda bears down on all the dental plaque and breaks it down. So, imperfections like stains and buildup disappear in no time. Since baking soda has erosive qualities, ensure that you perform this routine no more than twice a month. Remember, eating anything cold or hot immediately could cause teeth sensitivity.
So try this little trick today and unleash that dazzling smile upon the world! Read dentist-approved ways in which you could improve your smile.
Read this in Hindi.
Read this in Marathi
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