3 Tips For Whiter Teeth that Everyone Should Know About
For most people, a bright and healthy smile is important for boosting confidence, particularly in a social setting. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) released survey results showing that the most important feature people want to change about their smile is the degree of whiteness.
With the amount of whitening products available on the market today, those survey results are easy to believe. People are looking to cosmetic dentistry and over-the-counter (OTC) whitening products for a perfect set of pearly whites.
Fortunately, there are a few things you add to your dental care routine to get whiter, brighter teeth on your own. Heroes Dental wants you to check out these three tips for achieving whiter teeth:
Clean While You Eat
We all know that certain foods and beverages can wreak havoc on the enamel of our teeth. Soy sauce, coffee, and wine – just to name a few – can erode the tooth enamel and cause unsightly stains if consumed often. Overtime, this can lead to tooth decay and sensitivity.
But while some foods damage your teeth, others can actually help your pearly whites stay bright and shiny. Fibrous fruits and vegetables with a high water content help clean your teeth while you eat.
Strawberries contain malic acid, a compound that acts as a natural astringent to remove surface stains. Coarser foods like seeds, nuts, and even broccoli, act like exfoliators or scrubbing agents for the teeth. If you toss them in a salad, you’re basically brushing your teeth in the process. The sulfuric compounds in onion can help reduce plaque formation on the surface of your teeth.
Finally, crunchy and juicy produce like apples, carrots, and celery act by increasing saliva production in the mouth when you eat them. This means that the leftover debris in your mouth is washed away before it gets to cause any real harm.
Choose Whitening Products Wisely
There are two types of whitening products according to the American Dental Association (ADA): peroxide-containing bleaching agents and whitening toothpastes. Bleaching agents contain carbamide peroxide, which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea. The science may sound fancy, but the end result is a bleaching process that can be administered in a dental office or can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC).
If you plan on purchasing a OTC mild-grade bleaching product, make sure to look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Products with this seal will have a suitable concentration of the solution and can also be dispensed by dentists. You’ll find these products in the form of whitening trays with gel, bleaching strips, or paint-on materials. Of course, professional whitening solution applied in a dentist office has a higher concentration.
The AA states that whitening toothpastes work through non-bleaching actions; this includes polishing or chemical chelation. These kinds of toothpastes contain polishing or chemical agents that work to remove surface stains. Look for a whitening toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance to get the best results in your whitening routine.
DIY Whitening
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) whitening uses everyday solutions in moderation with a small and positive observable effect. Most homemade whitening solutions use baking soda as a base with a natural product like hydrogen peroxide, coconut oil, or apple cider vinegar.
The most common and simplest to make is the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda combination. Baking soda with water helps release free radicals that target stain-causing molecules in the mouth. For a brighter smile, combine about two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon of baking soda. Mix the paste until it is no longer gritty in texture. Stir this into your regular toothpaste and start brushing as usual. Let the mixture stand for about one minute and then rinse. Make sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water to get rid of any remaining residue.
You can do this two or three times a week for short bouts. Be careful though, excessive use of baking soda can actually break down the enamel of your teeth over time, causing sensitivity.
Request an Appointment Today
Are your pearly white lacking luster lately? If you think you could benefit from a confidence boost and a professional whitening treatment with an experienced dentist, look no further than Heroes Dentistry. Request your appointment today!
We have three locations in the Rio Grande Valley where we cater to all our fellow Valley residents. Check out our cosmetic dentistry services for more details on how we can help you.