There are many things that can spark a happy smile – a great day at work, an improved report card, a new friend, or a visit with a family member. However, if your smile isn’t as bright as it could be, you may be hesitant to show it off, no matter what the occasion. Dr. Titania Tong has helped many patients regain their confidence and show off their happiness with great smiles through professional teeth whitening services. However, maintaining those results is often up to the patient.
Below, Dr. Tong offers several tips for keeping your smile bright:
- Decrease your consumption of coffee. The caffeine kick that comes with a morning cup of coffee is a must-have for many patients. However, with each cup, tiny particles of the dark beverage are left behind on your teeth. Over time, these particles can discolor your teeth. If you can’t quit drinking coffee, consider cutting back. Or think about sipping your coffee, and other dark beverages, with a straw so that the liquid doesn’t come into contact with the front of your teeth.
- If you smoke, stop. Most smokers already know the damage that the habit is causing to their health. What they may overlook, however, is the damage that it causes to your appearance. Smoking can cause your nails and teeth to become yellow. It can also cause bad breath.
- Brush and floss. Good oral hygiene habits are not only good for preventing gum disease and cavities, it’s also critical to keeping your smile looking good. When you brush, you remove tiny food particles from the surface and between the teeth. If those particles are left on the teeth, it can cause plaque and discoloration of the teeth. For most patients, a regular toothpaste will work fine. If you choose to use a whitening toothpaste, use it only once or twice a week. More than that can cause damage or tooth sensitivity.
- Visit the dentist. Even with the best at home oral health habits, there will likely still be food particles left behind on the teeth. A professional cleaning at your dentist’s office can vastly improve the health, and the appearance, of your smile.
For more information about keeping your smile white, or improving the appearance of your smile with professional teeth whitening services, call the office of Dr. Titania today.