Everyone wants a sparkling, white smile. In fact, when the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry asked people what they’d most like to improve about their smile, the most common response was whiter teeth. But, unfortunately, diet, aging, and oral hygiene can lead to teeth yellowing, making it difficult to keep (or get) those pearly whites like you want.
What You Can Do For Whiter Teeth
There are some things you can do proactively and reactively to improve the quality of your smile and the whiteness of your teeth. Today, we bring you five of our best tips.
1 – Cut Back on Foods and Beverages That Are Known to Stain Teeth
Generally speaking, if it can stain your clothes, it can stain your teeth. This one isn’t easy, but if you want whiter teeth, consider avoiding:
- Coffee, tea, and wine. The tannins in your favorite beverages can stain and discolor teeth.
- Acidic foods. Lemons and tomatoes are healthy for your body, but the acid in them can erode enamel and expose the yellow-colored dentin underneath.
- Sugary foods and drinks. Sugar feeds bacteria on your teeth, which can cause tooth decay. That tooth decay can cause discoloration.
- Richly pigmented fruits like blackberries and pomegranate.
2 – Or, If You Can’t Fathom Cutting Out Your Favorite Treats….
We get it. Cutting out coffee, wine, and soda seems like an impossible request. If this is the case for you, consider using a straw when you drink. Using a straw keeps the discoloring agents away from your teeth. Also, make sure to brush or rinse immediately after eating tooth-staining foods or beverages.
3 – Practice Good Oral Hygiene
You can’t fake healthy teeth. There’s no way around it—you need to brush twice a day, floss once a day, and see your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups.
4 – Quit All Tobacco Products
If you don’t quit smoking or chewing tobacco to potentially save your life, at the very least, do it to keep your teeth from turning brown. The nicotine and tar in tobacco products leach into openings in your enamel and leave a yellow/brown stain. Professional teeth whitening is the most effective way to remove these stubborn stains.
By the way, if you have trouble quitting, get the support you need to quit tobacco products.
5 – Get Teeth Whitening from Your Dentist
There are various options when it comes to whitening your teeth, but the two most common are in-office treatments and the do-it-yourself approach with over the counter toothpaste, mouthwash, whitening strips, and gels.
Best Way to Whiten Your Teeth. While over the counter products are inexpensive and easy to use, dentist-supervised teeth whitening remains the safest, most effective way to get a sparkling smile.
Teeth Whitening with Perfect Teeth
BoostTeeth Whitening. While all of our PERFECT TEETH offices offer take home teeth whitening, many of our locations also offer Opalescence Boost teeth whitening. Boost professional whitening is a fast, effective and safe way to whiten your teeth either at the office or at home. The results can be immediate), and because a dental professional is involved, the process is safe, reliable, and hassle free.
Are you ready to get back your sparkling smile? Now’s the perfect time! Throughout the month of May, all PERFECT TEETH dental offices are offering take home whitening for just $99!* Contact a PERFECT TEETH dental office for more details and to schedule your appointment.
**To qualify, patient must be free of active tooth decay. Exam and x-rays may be required. Valid only for take home whitening, not including Opalesence Boost. Offer good through May 31st, 2017.
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