How to Get a Dazzling White Smile and Keep It

Have you ever looked at a picture of yourself and been shocked by how yellow your teeth look? You aren’t the only one! According to the American Dental Association, “When the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry asked people what they’d most like to improve about their smile, the most common response was whiter teeth. The American Association of Orthodontists also found that nearly 90% of patients requested tooth whitening.” Whiter teeth look like healthier teeth, and they can take years off your appearance. Not only will you feel more comfortable showing off your brilliant white smile in photos, but the ways to achieve whiter teeth are healthier for your teeth all the way around! Have Solid Oral Hygiene Practices The primary way to get a dazzling white smile and keep it is to have a solid oral hygiene routine. Unfortunately, this is a problem for many. The New York Post reports, “A new study into the dental hygiene habits of 2,000 Americans found three in ten millennials studied only brush their teeth once a day. Results also showed the average millennial surveyed has gone more than two days at a time without brushing their teeth at least once.” Habits like this will make it nearly impossible for your teeth to stay white, so you should expect them to yellow. More importantly, it is unhealthy and can lead to serious problems, such as tooth decay. Instead, you should make it a point to brush your teeth at least twice every day. Don’t get lazy and go to bed without brushing your teeth. This allows whatever food and drinks you had for dinner to sit on your teeth all night long. You should also floss daily and use mouthwash. Along these same lines, if you purchase a teeth whitening kit from a drugstore but do not maintain good oral hygiene, your teeth will look yellow once again in no time. Keep Up with Your Regular Dental Care It is also important to keep up with your regular dental care. Unfortunately, many adults do not visit their dentists annually for check-ups and cleanings. This routine maintenance goes a long way in preventing other problems and helping you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. If you need a Houston dentist, Greenspoint Dental is currently accepting new patients. Avoid Stain-Causing Foods and Drinks Unfortunately, there are some really tasty foods and drinks that are known to cause staining on teeth, such as coffee, red wine, and foods like blueberries and beets. Also, tomato-based sauces, curry, balsamic vinaigrette, and soy sauce can stain. Plus, carbonated beverages like Coca-Cola not only stain your teeth, but too much can also lead to tooth decay. Keep Your Toothbrush Handy Because so many of the above-listed foods and drinks are a regular part of many people’s diets, it is wise to keep a toothbrush handy. For instance, if you can brush your teeth after eating or drinking these types of staining foods and drinks, you can prevent some staining. It’s a wise idea to pick up some of the mini toothbrushes designed for this purpose, such as the Colgate Wisps. If it is not convenient to brush your teeth, you should try to drink water between sips and bites. Say No to Tobacco By now, we all know the dangerous effects of smoking tobacco. But, in addition to the serious health effects, tobacco is also a known cause of teeth staining. The Oral Health Foundation explains, “One of the effects of smoking is staining on the teeth due to the nicotine and tar in the tobacco. It can make your teeth yellow in a very short time, and heavy smokers often complain that their teeth are almost brown after years of smoking.” Eat More of These Foods Now that we’ve told you all the things that will turn your white smile into an old-looking, yellow one, here’s some good news. There are actually some foods that are known for not staining your teeth and possibly helping whiten your teeth. For example, cheese is a great food for your teeth. Listerine describes, “Dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt and milk, contain lactic acid and the enamel-fortifying mineral calcium, which strengthen teeth while also whitening them. Chewing on cheese also prompts production of saliva, which washes away staining food particles.” In addition to cheese, vegetables like cauliflower and celery are good for your teeth. And, surprisingly, strawberries are also a wise choice because they contain an enzyme known as malic acid. Get Professional Teeth Whitening With 80% of Americans claiming to want whiter teeth, it is not surprising that “Americans spent more than $1.4 billion on over-the-counter teeth whitening products last year alone.” Sadly, many of these over-the-counter kits do not work or offer lackluster results – especially on teeth with serious stains. Plus, even the ones that do appear to work do not offer permanent whitening, and a new kit needs to be purchased soon after the last one. The good news is you can get professional teeth whitening that is much more effective done by your Houston area dentist. At Greenspoint Dental, we offer Zoom! teeth whitening. This revolutionary teeth whitening procedure involves placing the whitening gel directly on your teeth and then using a light to activate the whitening power. Zoom! teeth whitening can make your teeth eight shades lighter in just one visit. And, it’s even been proven to work on some of the worst stains, such as those from years of tobacco use.