One of the first things people notice about you is the quality of your smile, and it’s only natural to want to make a good first impression. Unfortunately, if your teeth are discolored, you might be remembered for the wrong reasons.
If you’re a fan of fads, you may have tried some at-home remedies, like using charcoal paste or over-the-counter strips, to brighten your grin without much success. Continue reading to learn 3 tips that can effectively lighten your teeth safely!
Helpful Hint #1: Establish a Routine
One of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent tooth stains is by consistently cleaning your teeth. Brushing and flossing both morning and night removes plaque residue that pigmented particles cling to, leaving your enamel tinted more yellow or brown than white.
If you don’t already have a consistent regimen in place, now’s the perfect time to establish a twice-daily dental hygiene routine. It can also help to schedule routine checkups and cleanings with your dentist every 6 months so they can monitor your dental condition to catch and address areas of concern, like thinning enamel or gingivitis, before they can progress into real problems. Plus, they can polish away more recent surface stains so that your smile sparkles!
Helpful Hint #2: Watch What You Eat
Even those who regularly brush and floss can develop dental discoloration by frequently exposing their teeth to dark foods and drinks like tea, coffee, wine, tomatoes, and berries. Although it’s okay to enjoy these ingredients periodically, repeated or prolonged exposure can leave your once-pearly whites looking worse for wear.
You can prevent stains by brushing your teeth about 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything to strengthen your enamel and remove any buildup that pigmented particles can cling to. You can also fill your plate with foods that don’t stain and support your dental health, like dairy products (such as milk, cheese, or yogurt) that contain calcium for strong teeth and bones.
Helpful Hint #3: Consult Your Dentist
If you’ve tried over-the-counter whitening products with no luck, you’re not alone. They often contain one-size-fits-all trays or strips that lead to misusing or overapplying the diluted bleaching agents, which can cause dental sensitivity on top of a lack of results.
Thankfully, your dentist has access to professional-grade gels that are designed to minimize potential discomfort while maximizing results. A single in-office treatment can potentially lighten your teeth by up to 8 shades, or you can request a take-home kit with all the supplies you need for a top-quality outcome from the comfort of your living room sofa.
Following these tips can help you keep your grin looking clean and bright!
About the Practice
At Advanced Dental Concepts, you and your family benefit from a team of dentists who share 20+ years of combined experience. They take pride in getting to know your unique needs so they can customize treatments to help you meet them, regardless of your current dental condition. They combine a welcoming and friendly environment with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance patient comfort while delivering accurate, long-lasting results. For whiter teeth, you can request an appointment on the website or call (219) 663-6878.