The smile is one of a person’s standout features. So, it is not a surprise that many patients visit the dentist for a perfect smile. This is why cosmetic dentistry has rapidly become famous, with teeth whitening among the top treatments.
Nothing says a gorgeous smile more than stunning pearly white teeth that radiate and glow. These days, there are many ways in which one can achieve whiter teeth. These include convenient at-home bleaching agents or professional teeth whitening procedures with your dentist. There are also some tips and tricks that are proven to help brighten the smile.
If you want to improve your smile with whiter teeth, read along as we let you in on the top teeth whitening tips, tricks, and dental procedures.
How to Get a White Smile: 8 Tips
Whether you hope to save up with some budget-friendly, at-home whitening strips or splurge with a trip to the dentist for advanced laser teeth whitening, a white smile is more achievable these days than you may think. Here are eight foolproof tips for that pearly white smile:
Skip the staining foods and drinks
The most effective way to keep your teeth white is to avoid anything that may cause them to discolour. Some staining food and beverages that you may want to limit or eliminate from your diet are:
- Tomatoes
- Curry and other spiced foods
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red wine
These are rich in tannins which seep into the teeth to “brew” them and cause them to appear slightly yellowish. If overconsumed or if left to “steep” in the mouth for an extended time, they may eventually cause your teeth to discolour permanently.
Drink enough water
If you cannot avoid coffee, tea, red wine, or any other notoriously staining food, consider drinking or swishing water in your mouth after consuming them. Aside from keeping you hydrated and healthy, water helps wash off the staining component of the food and drinks you consume. With this, the pigments do not stick to your teeth to cause discolouration.
Maintain good oral hygiene
Another possible reason for teeth staining is when plaque and tartar accumulate. These are slightly yellowish, and if left in the mouth for longer, they may cause some discolouration on the teeth.
To avoid this, brush your teeth two to three times a day. This will eliminate any plaque build-up that may cause teeth staining. But aside from brushing regularly, doing it right is just as important. Consider a soft-bristled toothbrush, which is gentle on your teeth and gums. Then, floss after to remove plaque between the teeth. These are simple yet highly effective home hygiene care for that dreamy white smile.
Try a whitening toothpaste
Local drugstores and supermarkets are home to easily accessible whitening toothpaste brands. But how do you know which will actually work? Look for the ingredient peroxide. Peroxide is an active bleaching ingredient present in safe concentrations on most toothpaste whiteners.
The only disadvantage of whitening toothpaste is that you must be consistent to see some results. And even then, it may not be as noticeable as you want.
Consider an electric toothbrush
If you have access to an electric toothbrush, having one on hand can also help achieve a white smile. Unlike manual toothbrushing, an electric toothbrush can provide better plaque removal, gum stimulation, and a more consistent and effective hygiene routine. People who lead busy lives sometimes forget that effective toothbrushing should be done for at least 2 minutes. An electric toothbrush with a timer can help ensure this is accomplished.
Teeth whitening trays
If you can splurge more for teeth whitening, go for teeth whitening trays. There are some over-the-counter teeth whitening trays that you can readily purchase. Review the ingredient list and ensure that a bleaching agent is incorporated into the product for an efficient whitening effect. Read the instructions thoroughly and do as advised to get the most out of the whitening tray.
Aside from convenient at-home whitening trays, you can also ask your dentist if they offer professional teeth whitening trays. These are more effective because the trays are fitted to your teeth, and it has a more concentrated bleaching gel component. Your dentist will advise you to wear the whitening tray for at least 2 hours daily until you achieve the white smile you want. To whiten your teeth further, you can always top up the bleaching gel with your dentist.
Advanced laser teeth whitening
Another splurge option when it comes to teeth whitening is the most advanced laser whitening system that you can only get at your dentist. This uses a powerful bleaching agent and blue laser light for quick and dramatic whitening results. Most laser whitening can accomplish up to 8 shades lighter teeth in under an hour, making it the top choice for whitening.
At Midpark Dental, we utilize a bleaching gel of high concentration. This is painted on each tooth before it is shined with blue light for an accelerated and enhanced whitening process. It is crucial that this procedure is only done at the dentist’s. The bleaching gel may damage the gums and other soft tissues and cause teeth sensitivity if misused.
Other cosmetic dentistry options
Aside from teeth whitening, there are other cosmetic dentistry options that you can consider to whiten and brighten your smile. You may consider porcelain veneers which are wafer-thin shells of porcelain material glued on the tooth surface. Veneers are customized according to your preferences, so you can have them finished as white as you want.
This option is recommended if you have other cosmetic concerns besides tooth staining, such as minor tooth decay or irregularly shaped teeth.
Teeth Whitening at Midpark Dental
The easiest way to a bright white smile is through laser teeth whitening at Midpark Dental. To give our patients optimal smile satisfaction, we only use the most advanced whitening systems that safely and effectively whiten your smile. We also offer teeth whitening trays if you want a smile enhancement done in the comfort of your home.
To learn more about your options with us, contact us today, and we will happily schedule you for a consult. Our dentist will tailor a treatment plan for you according to your smile goals so you can achieve your dream smile in no time.