If asked, most people would like to have a brighter smile. Yet tooth discoloration is among the most common dental problems. Fortunately, it is also one of the most treatable. You can whiten your teeth in a variety of ways, from lifestyle changes to cosmetic dentistry. In this post, your dentist in Lombard explains various methods of whitening and how to choose the right one for you.
At Dental Care of Lombard, Dr. Julie Glud offers compassionate and personalized dental care. Her thorough preventive treatment and patient education can help to naturally brighten your smile. She also performs effective teeth whitening treatments, including traditional in-office whitening, as well as advanced KöR whitening.
To learn more about how to enjoy a whiter, more radiant smile, contact your dentist in Lombard today.
1. Watch What You Drink
We often quaff drinks without thinking about it. But beverages are among the most common causes of dental discoloration. Dark-colored coffee, tea, and red wine leave heavily pigmented molecules clinging to your teeth. Soda is highly acidic, which can erode the white enamel, leaving the darker dental tissues exposed. These tissues are also more porous, meaning they more easily absorb colored food and beverage particles.
The best choice is water (and milk for kiddos). If you do choose to enjoy a caffeinated or adult beverage, try to drink some water at the same time.
2. Eat Plenty of Fruits and Veggies
Of course, fruits and veggies are good for you in general. But they can also help to lighten your teeth. Produce often has a higher water content, which can promote saliva production to wash away bacteria and harmful starches. Fruits and veggies also contain important compounds, like Vitamin C, polyphenols, bromelain, and malic acid. These chemicals can prevent plaque formation and naturally reduce dental stains.
Some fruits and veggies are better for whitening than others. Best choices include:
- Strawberries
- Pineapple
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Apples
- Pears
- Celery
- Carrots
For maximum whitening effect, try eating your veggies raw. Because you will be chewing longer, the fibrous veggies will rub against your teeth, removing stained particles.
A few words of caution. First, implementing dietary changes will not cause a sudden change in your tooth color. Rather, the improvement will be subtle and gradual. Second, some people advocate rubbing fruit (and other foods) directly against your teeth to brighten your smile. This is not advisable, as the high acid content could damage your tooth enamel.
3. Avoid Smoking
Smoking can cause severe dental discoloration, even producing brown stains. This is because cigarette smoke contains nicotine and tar. Both of these dark substances can penetrate your teeth, leaving stain-producing molecules behind.
Cigarette-related stains can be quite severe, especially if you are a long-time smoker. Safe DIY methods like those described here may be effective. But for a more noticeable effect, your dentist in Lombard may recommend professional teeth whitening.
4. Brush and Floss Regularly
Of course, this one is probably a no-brainer, but it needs to be said. Brushing and flossing daily is one of the best ways to ensure white teeth and an overall healthy smile. Good at-home hygiene will help to remove food and starches, which will otherwise penetrate your teeth, causing stains and tooth decay. Just be sure to brush your teeth 30 minutes after you finish eating. Brushing right away will simply rub the lingering food molecules into your teeth
5. Visit the Dentist in Lombard Twice a Year
Taking care of your teeth at home is a good start. But even with the most vigilant dental care, you will not be able to fully remove stain-producing substances. A dental professional can thoroughly eradicate plaque and tartar from your teeth.
6. Try Whitening Toothpaste
Many toothpaste labels claim that they can brighten teeth. But are the claims valid? Whitening toothpastes usually contain silica or hydrogen peroxide, both of which do legitimately lessen dental stains. Be aware, however, that results will not be dramatic. Typically, users only notice that their teeth have changed by a shade or two.
For best results, combine whitening toothpaste with the lifestyle changes described above. And choose a toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
7. Give Whitening Strips a Go
Like whitening toothpastes, whitening strips can be effective. You will wear the strips about 30 minutes a day, in most cases for up to a week. Users may notice several shades of difference in their smiles. It’s important to note, however, that whitening strips will not give you dramatic results, especially if you have heavily stained teeth. Further, if you struggle with dental sensitivity, you may want to avoid whitening treatment that is not supervised by your dentist.
8. Opt for Professional Teeth Whitening
For the most dramatic whitening results, you should visit your dentist in Lombard. Dr. Glud offers two types of whitening, both of which can achieve stunning and noticeable effects in a short time.
If you choose traditional in-office whitening, Dr. Glud will coat your teeth in a gel containing carbamide peroxide. The gel will break apart the biochemical bonds between stains, leaving you with a noticeably brighter smile. Treatment typically takes an hour or less.
KöR whitening is a state-of-the-art option that may be especially appropriate if you suffer from dental sensitivity. KöR gel is kept refrigerated, even during shipment, which ensures that it does not lose its potency. It is also applied via KöR -Seal™ trays, which keep saliva from coming in contact with the gel. Because of these precautions, the treatment can achieve truly stunning results. It can also reduce internal tetracycline stains, which were previously thought to be permanent.
9. Get Porcelain Veneers
If you have particularly severe stains, or if you wish to address multiple cosmetic issues at once, you may be a good candidate for porcelain veneers. By applying thin porcelain shells to the front of your teeth, Dr. Glud can fully conceal stains, reshape your teeth, and mask other issues. To qualify for veneers, you should have overall good dental health.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Dentist in Lombard
To learn more about cosmetic dentistry or to book a consultation, contact Dental Care of Lombard today.
Contact us anytime online or give us a call at (630) 629-5700.
