Your once pearly white teeth might have lost their luster due to yellow and gray stains. It is normal for our teeth to develop stains as we age. However, consuming certain foods and drinks could enhance teeth staining. The majority of people consider healthy teeth crucial to their success in life. People with bright smiles create an impression of success; they excel in careers and romantic life. If people place such great importance on a healthy and bright smile, you cannot afford to have stained teeth. Tarzana Dental Care can help you get the sparkling white smile that you have always desired.
Secrets for a Whiter Smile
Generally, calcium helps to preserve your enamel, which is the protective outer layer of your teeth. Naturally, calcium is white in appearance; if you have healthy teeth, they are likely to look bright. Colored teeth result when the enamel wears off or when teeth staining occurs. Some of the tips that you can use to whiten your teeth are:
Professional Teeth Whitening
One of the surest ways of getting whiter teeth is by visiting your dentist for a thorough dental cleaning. A dentist will use advanced teeth whitening procedures to remove stains from the surface of your teeth. A dentist will also polish your teeth to ensure that the enamel is bright and smooth. Smoother teeth surfaces are less likely to pick up stains.
Professional teeth whitening is not just effective but also safer than do-it-yourself teeth whitening. You will have a professional performing the teeth whitening and monitoring your progress. The dental expert will use the right measure and concentration of the whitening agent. While performing the procedure, your dentist will cover other parts of your mouth like the gums. Covering other parts of the mouth will prevent them from coming into contact with the teeth whitening agent.
With professional teeth whitening, you will enjoy long-term results. Although the over-the-counter teeth whitening techniques could help make your teeth whiter, the results might not last long. Before a dentist commences the teeth whitening process, he/she will start by examining your teeth to ensure that you are a good candidate for teeth whitening.
Custom Teeth Whitening Trays
You could opt for custom teeth whitening trays, which will allow you to make your teeth whiter from the comfort of your home. More people are opting for custom teeth whitening trays over other teeth whitening techniques. The trays are effective and will not expose you to risk; you do not have to worry about spilling the teeth whitening agent on your tongue or gums. Therefore, there is no risk of damaged tissues due to contact with the teeth bleaching agent.
In most cases, teeth whitening trays will come in handy after you have undergone professional teeth cleaning. You can obtain the custom teeth whitening trays from your dentist. This teeth whitening procedure involves using a low-strength whitening gel over a certain period. You will have a permanent whitening due to the deeper penetration of the whitening agent into your teeth.
You will have the trays custom made to suit the size and the shape of your teeth. By having custom trays that fit perfectly, your teeth will be consistent and have adequate contact with the whitening gel. Once you get your custom-made teeth whitening trays, you can always re-use the trays whenever you need to make your teeth whiter.
You could acquire some over-the-counter teeth whitening products packaged in trays. However, these are not custom-made for you. If you purchase these products, you might end up with whitening trays that do not fit perfectly on your teeth. This will compromise the effectiveness of the teeth whitening gel and could also expose you to some risks.
The best thing about teeth whitening trays is the level of convenience they offer. You no longer have to worry about attending dental appointments. You can still take advantage of the powerful and healthy whitening agents available at the dentist's office.
You can wear the teeth whitening trays and go about your business without having people notice them. Due to their design and perfect fit, the whitening trays will be barely visible in your mouth. Teeth whitening trays are cheaper than teeth whitening appointments, yet they still yield great results.
Night-Time Teeth Cleaning and Whitening Routine
Even after undergoing teeth whitening, you need to take precautions to prevent the stains from reappearing, and to keep your teeth sparkling. It is important to adopt the right routine of cleaning your teeth before going to bed. It is also important to adopt a night teeth whitening routine. For instance, now and then, you should use your teeth whitening gel with the custom whitening trays to get the best results.
Your teeth contain open pores, which make them susceptible to staining. By adopting the right night-time cleaning and whitening routine, you will keep your teeth white and well hydrated. If you undergo professional teeth whitening at the dental office, you should request your dentist to recommend some effective teeth maintenance procedures. Following the right procedures will prevent the stains from recurring.
Keep Track your Diet
The foods and the beverages you consume have a great impact on the brightness of your smile. Certain foods and drinks could be staining your teeth without your knowledge. Acidic foods and citrus fruits could erode your enamel and expose a yellow-colored tissue below the enamel, known as dentin. Drinks like coffee contain acidic polyphenols; their components could lead to teeth staining or discoloration. Due to its acidic nature, coffee could alter the pH in your mouth and make other foods damage your teeth.
Other foods and drinks that could lead to discoloration of your teeth include soda, tea, sweets, wine, and dark berries. It is particularly important to avoid teeth staining foods immediately after you undergo teeth whitening. Eating sugary foods will encourage the buildup of bacteria in the mouth leading to tooth decay.
Sometimes, it might be hard to cut down on certain foods and drinks despite their teeth-staining properties. However, after consuming the said foods and drinks, you should rinse or clean your mouth immediately. You could also consider using a straw while consuming certain drinks like soda. Using a straw will ensure that soda will not pass on the surface of your teeth. It is not advisable to brush your teeth immediately after eating because this could strain the enamel and wear it down.
Maximize on Healthy Teeth Whitening Foods
While avoiding the teeth-staining foods, you should maximize on healthy foods, which have teeth whitening properties. You should start by consuming a healthy and balanced diet to ensure that your body has all the required nutrients. This will ensure that you have healthy and strong teeth.
Foods with the best teeth whitening properties include vegetables and crunchy fruits. Therefore, it is advisable to maximize on foods like carrots, apples, and celery; these fruits will help to clean your teeth and remove stains. Experts also recommend dairy products because they help to strengthen the surface of the teeth and to protect the tooth enamel. Foods like cheese and milk are rich in calcium, which is ideal for healthy teeth. Dairy products also help to counter unhealthy acids in the mouth; it makes it easy to avoid tooth decay and tooth discoloration that occurs due to tooth decay.
It is advisable to drink water throughout the day. Water will help wash away any food particles that could be stuck on the teeth. Keeping your mouth hydrated will encourage the production of saliva, which, in turn, removes harmful bacteria from your mouth.
Certain fruits like strawberries and pineapples have properties that could help whiten your teeth. Pineapple contains bromelain, a substance that is effective in removing stains from the teeth. Some kinds of toothpaste used in removing stains from the teeth contain bromelain, the same component found in pineapple.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking exposes your teeth to nicotine and tobacco; this results in yellow or stained teeth and bad breath. Many people assume that e-cigarette is a better option because they do not contain tobacco. Therefore, most people argue that vaping does not have bad effects on oral health. However, this is not the case.; even if e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco, their vapor comprises nicotine. These cigarettes also have other harmful substances, including heavy metals.
Quitting smoking will not just benefit your teeth but will also help you improve your health. Stains arising from tobacco are often stubborn to remove because they stick on the openings and groves of the tooth enamel. Extended smoking will make your teeth appear yellowish or brownish.
It might seem hard to quit smoking; however, if you focus on the bright smile you will get, you will understand that it is worth the effort. You can quit smoking by ensuring that you avoid triggers. For instance, you should avoid being around people who smoke because this could encourage you to smoke.
Observe Good Dental Hygiene
There is no better way to whiten your teeth than by maintaining good oral hygiene. It is advisable to brush your teeth for at least twice a day and to floss regularly. You also have to visit your dentist regularly to ensure that your teeth are in good shape. By following this routine, you will be on the road to achieving a sparkling smile.
Whenever you are cleaning your teeth, you should never forget to brush your tongue. Harmful bacteria could settle on the surface of the tongue and lead to bad breath or tooth decay. Ensure that you are using the right toothbrush. Some experts recommend using an electric toothbrush because it is more effective in removing stains from the teeth.
You should take a minimum of two minutes while brushing your teeth; you should also brush twice a day. Whenever you are cleaning your teeth, ensure that you are moving the toothbrush to all teeth. You should move the toothbrush in circular motions to ensure that you reach all the surfaces of your teeth.
You should also be careful while choosing the right toothpaste. You should go for a toothpaste that contains fluoride to help fight dental cavities. Studies also reveal that if a toothpaste contains baking soda, it could be effective in removing stains from the teeth. Baking soda acts as a natural abrasive ingredient, which plays a major role in stain removal. However, you should avoid baking soda too much because it might be too abrasive to your teeth.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide
You can make your teeth whiter by using hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide helps to kill bacteria in your mouth and also acts as a natural bleach. Due to its ability to kill bacteria, hydrogen peroxide has been in use as a disinfectant for many years. The majority of teeth whitening products consist of hydrogen peroxide as one of the ingredients.
You could brush with hydrogen peroxide or go for toothpaste that contains hydrogen peroxide. You should only use diluted hydrogen peroxide because a concentrated solution could cause tooth sensitivity or gum irritation. Although some people argue that consistent use of hydrogen peroxide might cause cancer, there is no proof of these allegations. You could mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda and then use it to brush your teeth. You should limit the use of this home remedy to several times a week; an overuse of hydrogen peroxide or baking soda might erode your teeth.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a natural remedy that could help make your teeth whiter. For many years, apple cider vinegar has been used as a cleaning product and disinfectant. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which helps to kill bacteria. The antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar make it an ideal product for cleaning the teeth. The product will not only kill the bacteria in your mouth but also help to whiten your teeth.
You should use apple cider vinegar sparingly because it has the potential to erode your teeth. Therefore, you should never use apple cider vinegar every day. If you intend to use apple cider vinegar as a mouthwash, you should dilute it with water. After using apple cider vinegar as a mouthwash, ensure that you rinse your mouth with water afterward.
Importance of Teeth Whitening
You might underestimate the importance of teeth whitening. Whenever you are talking, people look at your mouth, and the first thing they are likely to notice is your teeth condition. People might not even listen to what you are saying but simply focus on the appearance of your teeth if you have yellow or brown teeth.
Teeth whitening is a simple procedure, and it is relatively inexpensive. There are numerous benefits of a bright smile:
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It Boosts your Confidence
Your self-confidence will improve after teeth whitening. When you have a bright smile, you can be confident to stand in front of people. It doesn't matter whether you are going for a date, work, or giving a presentation; as long as your teeth are white, you will feel confident. White teeth communicate to other people that you take good care of yourself and your appearance. The people around you will not fail to notice your transformed smile. '
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Enhance your Overall Appearance
The first thing that people are likely to notice about you is your smile. If you have white teeth, you will appear attractive. Everyone is prone to teeth staining mainly due to the intake of certain foods and drinks. With regular teeth whitening, you can maintain the beautiful appearance of your smile.
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Enhances Success
With a bright smile, you will appear successful both professionally and financially. You will also appear to be dependable and trustworthy. Therefore, a bright smile could win your favor during a job interview, at work, or when closing business deals.
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Improves Oral Health
Teeth whitening could help to improve your overall oral health. While performing teeth whitening, your dentist will start by cleaning your teeth. This will help to remove bacteria and plaque from your mouth. After undergoing teeth whitening, you will feel motivated to maintain good oral health to ensure that you prevent the stains from reappearing. After teeth whitening, many people are keen to brush and floss their teeth daily. This leads to an overall improvement in oral health.
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Improves Overall Health
Teeth whitening can help to improve your overall health. It will encourage you to maintain good oral health, and this will, in turn, have a good impact on your health. Dental problems like gum disease could have far-reaching effects. For instance, people suffering from gum disease are likely to develop other serious medical conditions like kidney failure, heart disease, and cancer. Therefore, the benefits of teeth whitening and good oral health are extensive.
Find a Teeth Whitening Dentist Near Me
There are many ways of getting whiter teeth ranging from professional teeth whitening to natural remedies. Having whiter teeth will improve many areas of your life, including career and social life. You will have more confidence to face people and interact with them. You do not have to worry about what people think about your teeth. For the best teeth whitening services, contact Tarzana Dental Care at 818-708-3232 and speak to one of our dentists.