November 16, 2013
If you are unhappy with the color of your teeth there are several things that you can do to make them brighter and whiter! With the snowy weather and the holiday season just around the corner, you want to look your best:
1) If you are a smoker, consider quitting (this is not an easy one!) or consider switching to a nicotine patch or smoking cessation medication to reduce the exposure of your teeth to smoke.
2) Cut down on drinks that stain your teeth. Common culprits are coffee, black and herbal teas, and red wine. When you do drink these things (who can avoid them entirely?) try to rinse your mouth with water soon afterwards or drink water between sips of coffee/tea. This will minimize the amount of time your teeth are exposed to the staining drink.
3) Strengthen your teeth and make them less vulnerable to things that will stain them. The best way to do this is by using a fluoride rinse. Two great rinses we recommend are Listerine Total Care Zero and Crest Pro Health. Make sure the rinse does not contain alcohol as this will increase your risk of oral cancer with long term use. Another great tip is to not rinse your mouth out with water after using the rinse or brushing. This will maximize the exposure time and make your teeth even stronger.
4) Brush longer and more effectively! This seems intuitive but many people do not realize that the most effective way to remove staining on your teeth is by brushing it off! Nothing is a substitute for good brushing technique. Use a timer when you brush and set it for 2 minutes. Brush each of the 4 corners of your mouth for 30 seconds. This is actually a long time! The average person brushes their teeth for 45-60 seconds. Remember to focus on every surface of every tooth. Most commercially available electric toothbrushes will time your brushing for you.
5) Get a cleaning and polish from a dental hygienist. There are areas of your teeth that you can not reach by brushing and flossing alone. Over time this buildup can make your teeth susceptible to staining and tartar formation. Your hygienist can remove much of the surface staining that has accumulated over time.
If these 5 things are just not cutting it, call us to have a chat about our professional whitening products. To find out more about tooth whitening click here. Sometimes it takes a little help from the dentist to keep your smile at its brightest!