Enhance Your Natural Smile

Every once in a while, you may look in the mirror and notice that your smile doesn’t look as perfect as it did a while back. Stains caused by various foods, chipping, and even tooth erosion are all imperfections that may make you feel uncomfortable. Before you freak out, keep in mind that almost all people will have natural tooth discolorations and it’s normal to feel your smile changing as your teeth mature.

If you do want to improve the look of your teeth, there are several tips and tricks you can do to make the most of what you were gifted with:

1. Floss regularly

While common sense would tell us to brush our teeth on a daily basis, and even after meals, flossing has no substitute. So when you grab that toothpick at the restaurant, don’t consider it a replacement for nighttime flossing. Floss can get in between the crevices that may cause a buildup of bacteria and plaque. Floss will also get out food particles that cause staining and bad breath. Mouthwash is only a temporary fix after eating a smelly food, but flossing and brushing your teeth will have a more lasting effect.

2. Enhance vitamin C and calcium consumption

Healthy teeth and a white smile go hand in hand, so taking steps to increase the strength of your smile will make it shine a thousand times brighter. Avoid tooth decay, erosion, and a plaque buildup by increasing vitamin C and calcium in your diet. Calcium will fortify your teeth and provide them with the minerals they need to stay hard. Vitamin C is an immunity boost, so it can help protect your gums from periodontal disease (gum disease). Try green vegetables and low-fat dairy products for the most nutritious options. To avoid stains, you can try crunchier foods which will increase saliva production.

3. Avoid the 3 s-words

The three S’s–sugar, soda, and sticky. These are the worst things for your teeth, and unfortunately found in almost all the meals we eat today. Sugar will get lodged in your teeth and is broken down into acidic compounds that wear away at tooth enamel. Sticky foods will also leave behind residue that is hard to get rid of. Soda not only stains your teeth (see Coca-cola) but can also provide both sugars and acids! This is why you should drink soda in moderation and attempt to drink from a straw to avoid the soda staying long on your teeth. Also, you’ll want to make sure to drink plenty of water or brush your teeth after having any of these substances.

4. Professional bleaching

Professional bleaching can be obtained easily right here in our office! In just one hour you can get a safe bleach for your teeth. By going to a professional you will avoid staining gums or improperly applying bleach which can lead to digestion. Also, the concentration used in our offices is higher than that of over-the-counter brands and is shown to last up to four times longer. You will instantly see a reduction of stains and feel more confident in your smile.

These are just some tips to keep you feeling happy with the appearance of your teeth. Nothing can substitute for good dental health, so keep brushing and flossing teeth twice a day. Call us if you need more help whitening or cleaning up your smile, or if you are interested in professional teeth whitening. What may seem like a small change can have dramatic effects on your ability to communicate with people.