With the holiday season approaching, people often ask our team what they can do to enjoy a brighter smile. Fortunately, there are steps both in our office and at home that you can use to erase discoloration and maintain a significantly brighter smile.
Ways to Maintain a Brighter Smile
- Brush daily: Unfortunately, many of our patients underestimate the importance of brushing their teeth. You should do so twice a day, once in the morning and again before going to bed. Each time should involve brushing for no less than two minutes. You can then reduce the severity of plaque buildup, helping your smile avoid the onset of cavities, gum problems, and discoloration.
- Always Floss: Even more important to brushing, you need to floss on each side of every tooth before going to bed. Flossing removes the bits of food that tooth brush bristles may miss. Flossing can help protect your smile from gingivitis, periodontal disease, and teeth stains.
- Drink Water Instead of Soda: Drinks such as soda, sweet tea, fruit drinks, energy drinks, and even sports drinks contain enough sugar and acids to weaken tooth enamel and dark pigments to stain the teeth. You can then experience a greater risk of tooth decay. We suggest drinking more water, which hydrates your body and contains no sugar.
- Avoid Sugary Foods: Just as sodas can make tooth decay and discoloration more likely, so will sugary snacks, such as candy or chocolate. Try healthier snack options, such as fresh fruit, vegetables, low-fat yogurt, or nuts.
- Talk to the Dentist About Whitening Solutions: While these efforts can help reduce the severity of teeth stains, you need professional care to completely remove stains. Fortunately, we can remove them with teeth whitening or mask them with veneers or bonding. If you have any questions about obtaining a brighter smile, then contact our office today.
ABOUT YOUR ASTORIA, NY, DENTIST:
Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, a native New Yorker, has welcomed patients and families from in and around Astoria, NY (including Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and all surrounding communities) since opening his dental practice in 1991. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Leibowitz, call our office in Astoria today at 718-728-8320.
