There’s nothing more charming and engaging than a beautiful smile — and nothing detracts more from your smile than yellowed or stained teeth. On both a social and professional level, whiter teeth represent confidence and success as well as beauty and can be a major part of the first impression you make. No matter your lifestyle or profession, you’ll be astonished at how whiter teeth can add to your overall quality of life.
Here are some of the best ways you can whiten your smile and keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime.
Brush Frequently and Correctly
It all starts with brushing your teeth — but that doesn’t mean just a quick once-over every night. For maximum protection, you need to brush your teeth twice daily, for at least two minutes each time. Make sure to brush all the inner and outer surfaces of your teeth, as well as the chewing surfaces.
Consider Upgrading to an Electric Toothbrush
Because electric toothbrushes are often easier to use, many people find that their teeth are whiter and far less likely to have decay and other dental problems. However, if you have good technique, a manual toothbrush can be just as effective.
Use Whitening Toothpaste
While whitening toothpaste won’t change the natural colour of your teeth, it can remove minor surface stains from foods. That’s because whitening toothpaste contains scrubbing abrasives, as well as chemicals (such as peroxide) that gently dissolve the stains.
Use a Mouthwash After Brushing
Using a fluoride-based mouthwash can help prevent tooth decay,which discolours dental enamel.For best results, our dentists recommend waiting half an hour after brushing, to use mouthwashes, so the valuable fluoride protection from the toothpaste isn’t rinsed away.
Take Care of Your Gums
In addition to brushing your teeth and using mouthwash, one of the best ways to maintain gum health is to floss regularly (and gently) to remove food particles and harmful bacteria. Another important way to maintain gum health is to get your teeth cleaned regularly by a dental hygienist. Dental hygienists use special tools to provide a deeper, more effective cleaning that safely removes hard-to-get food debris and bacteria. Likewise, it’s essential to get regular check-ups at your dentist, to ensure that everything is being done to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible.
Use Whitening Strips at Home
Whitening strips can provide a quick fix for removing stains from teeth. However, as with any over-the-counter whitening preparation, the solution is weak, and the strips may not give you the results you are after. Also, whitening strips will not work for artificial teeth (such as bridges and crowns).
Avoid Foods and Drinks That Stain
You probably already know that coffee, tea, and wine can stain teeth, but did you know that fruits can stain them as well? Tomatoes, blackberries, blueberries, and cherries can stain teeth, so be sure to brush right after that slice of pie or plate of pasta.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe, and Is It Affordable?
Teeth whitening is recognised the world over as a safe cosmetic dental procedure. As with any type of treatment, however, you’ll need to tell your dentist if you have any sensitivities to products such as peroxide so that the treatment can be adjusted for your maximum comfort.
As for affordability, most dentists offer affordable payment plans to help you budget for the procedure to whiten your smile.
Get Your Teeth Whitened at the Dentist’s Office
By far, the best way to get — and maintain — the whitest smile possible is to get your teeth whitened professionally by a certified dentist who specialises in whitening techniques. By choosing a dentist who is up-to-date on the latest teeth whitening technologies and methods, you can ensure you’re getting the safest, most effective whitening treatment available.
As for those over-the-counter generic whiteners that you get at the chemist’s, how do they compare? The truth is, over-the-counter DIY home whiteners use much weaker whitening solutions and are extremely limited in their benefits, so they can’t be compared with professional whitening procedures. In addition to stronger, more effective whitening solutions, many dentists also use a combination of heating and lighting tools to speed up and intensify whitening.
If you’re ready to improve your looks, raise your confidence level and make a positive first impression wherever you go, then Dana Street Dental can help. With our latest-technology whitening solutions, we can whiten your smile quickly and easily, and help you maintain healthy teeth and gums for years to come. Be sure to contact us for a quote, and find out how we can help give you the dazzling smile that you deserve.
