Do you want a white, bright smile? Who doesn’t! At our office, one of the most frequent questions we hear is, “How can I make my teeth look whiter?” To answer that, we’ve compiled a list of our top tips for whiter teeth.
1. Avoid Teeth-Staining Beverages
It is with great regret that we tell you this…red wine, tea, and coffee are all known teeth stainers. We recommend that if you want to brighten your teeth, you cut down on your consumption of these beverages. Alternatively, you can continue to enjoy these drinks but to avoid staining, use a straw so the liquids bypass your teeth.
2. Try a Whitening Toothpaste
A whitening toothpaste used twice a day will remove staining and decrease teeth’s yellowing appearance. To ensure your toothpaste’s safety and effectiveness, look for one that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
3. Eat Raw Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables aren’t just a nutritionally wise choice, they can also improve the appearance of your teeth. Crunching on foods like raw carrots, apples, and cauliflower can keep teeth clean by removing not only plaque, but surface stains as well.
4. Quit Smoking
Tobacco causes brown staining that penetrates deep into your tooth enamel, making it hard to remove the stains by brushing alone. Unfortunately, after years of smoking, the stains become even more deeply entrenched.
While we recognize that it can be difficult to quit smoking, there are many smoking cessation tools on the market to make it easier. One excellent resource is the American Lung Association, which offers a number of methods to help smokers quit their habit for good.
5. Home Whitening Kits
If you’re seeking more dramatic whitening results, we encourage you to make an appointment with us! We’re pleased to offer our patients a Lumibrite take-home treatment that leaves teeth up to 9 shades whiter!
The kit comes with a variety of peroxide concentrations and flavors, allowing us to cater the treatment to your specific needs. Once you’ve chosen the options you want, we’ll create a customized mouthguard for you. You’ll then apply a thin layer of whitening gel to the mouthguard, wear it for a designated amount of time, and repeat this process until your desired results are achieved–typically, 1-2 weeks.
We’re also pleased to offer our patients Lumibrite in-office whitening for quicker results. To learn more about our at-home and chairside whitening treatments, click here.
The Bottom Line
By following these simple tips, you can have a whiter, brighter smile! With a whiter smile, your teeth will not only look more attractive and well cared for, but you’ll also experience greater self-confidence and feel more comfortable with your appearance.
If you would like to schedule a consultation to get specific advice on how you can improve your smile, request an appointment online by clicking here or by calling us at 978.688.4441. We are happy to offer evening and weekend hours for your convenience in our Methuen office.
