A person’s smile is one of the first parts of a face that people see. Because of this, many people want to make sure that a smile that will stop people in their tracks.
Eighty percentof Americans aged 18 to 49 want to have whiter teethand find out the bestteeth whitening methodsto do so. If you are one of these people, you are not alone in your desire.
How do dentists whiten teeth? What are some ways you can do so when you don’t have time for the dentist? Here are seven teeth whitening tips that you can use in your daily routine, as recommended by dentists.
1. Brush Your Teeth With Whitening Toothpaste
Dr. Robert Govoni says that you should be aware of the different ingredients that might be included in your whitening toothpaste. While bleach can help get rid of any discoloration that might occur, it could have harmful effects if your teeth are sensitive.
Some of the most common ingredients that are added to whitening toothpaste include:
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Mild abrasives (i.e.silica, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, sodium metaphosphate, zirconium silicate)
- Activated charcoal
- Baking soda
Keep in mind that these ingredients are usually only helpful for removing the surface level of the teeth, thereby not whitening the entire tooth. The only whitening toothpaste proven to intrinsically whiten the entire tooth is hydroxyapatite (HAp) toothpaste.
2.Don’t Consume Anything That Stains Teeth
If you want to brighten your teeth but don’t want to incur an expensive bill from the dentist, one of the best ways to keep your teeth clean is to avoid consuming items that naturally stain your teeth. Some of the items that stain teeth the most include
- Red wine
- Smoking
- Coffee and tea
- Tomato sauce
- Curry
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Sodas
- Fruit juice
If you do choose to consume them regularly, try limiting them, rinsing your mouth with water afterward, or use a straw (for drinks).
3. Eat Less Food With Added Sugar
Sugary foods may be delicious in the moment, but they can affect your teeth and dental hygiene in the long run. This is because sugar in food can interact with the bacteria in your mouth to produce acid. The acid produced is what causes your teeth to yellow and lose enamel.
Avoid eating a lot of food that contains added sugars, such as junk food. The best food to eat for whiter teeth is crunchy fruits and vegetables (i.e. apples, celery, and carrots) and dairy products.
Of course, eating the right foods does not replace brushing your teeth regularly at least twice a day!
4.Oral Hygiene Is Key
Everyone’s teeth have the potential to turn yellow the more they age, but that’s no excuse for anyone to not practice good oral hygiene.
A great routine guaranteed to give you a better smile includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing at least once a day, scraping your tongue, andgetting a regular check-up at the dentist.
When you practice good hygiene, you preventplaque buildup and gum disease, which leads to plaque buildup and, if severe, tooth loss. Your mouth and smile will thank you.
5. Stop Smoking
Smoking doesn’t only affect your lungs and heart – it can also affect the color of your teeth. This is because products like tobacco that are present in cigars and cigarettesget stuck in the grooves and openings of your tooth enamel. Because they get stuck, they stain your teeth so that they can appear yellow or even brown in color.
To stop this from happening, you should abstain from smoking entirely. Your body and mouth will be happy from the lack of exposure.
6. Use a Custom Whitening Tray
One treatment that your dentist may recommend to you is the creation of a custom whitening tray made for your mouth’s needs. A whitening tray’s process uses a tray created by the dentist to fit the person’s mouth and a lower-strength whitening gel that works over the course of several weeks.Through this,amore permanent color change happens since it is allowed to penetrate deep into the tooth.
Results can show up with two to three weeks of daily use, although it may take six to eight weeks for yellow teeth that are more resistant to the whitener.If this option is of interest to you, speak with your dentist to see about getting your whitening trays!
7. Book an Appointment at the Dentist
If you don’t know exactly which direction to take when wondering about how towhiten teeth, there’s no better person to ask than the dentist.
On top of getting your teeth cleaned, a dentist can recommend the right kind of professional whitening treatment that can only be done at their office. An extra perk is thatthey can customize the shade of white you want your teeth to be.
The reason why going to the dentist can be better than doing it at home is that a dentist can takespecial precautions to protect your tongue, gums, and cheeks from the chemicals in a whitening solution with gauze, retractors, and barriers.
Improve Your Dental Health With These Teeth Whitening Tips
There are many things in the world today that help contributes to yellowing teeth, but you don’t have to let your dental hygiene fall by the wayside. If you follow these teeth whitening tips, you will be able to say goodbye to yellow teeth and hello to teeth that are brighter and whiter than ever before.
Whether you are looking at new ways to whiten your teeth or need them cleaned, let our team of dentists, including Dr. Monika Govani, at Brushin’ on Belmont help you get the dream smile you deserve. Schedule an appointment with us today!
