At Dental Associates of Delaware we know that many people feel insecure about their smile. Whether it is because of stains, discoloring or crooked teeth, studies have shown that one third of Americans are unhappy with their smiles. There have been many studies that suggest a white smile can help you in your career as well as love life. Not only will a whiter smile help you create a great impression with other people but it has also been proven that it will increase your self-image and confidence. We are happy to be able to provide some tips on creating a whiter smile.
Change Your Toothbrush
This may be one of the less obvious factors that lead to a healthier, whiter smile for adults. It is suggested that you swap out your toothbrush every 3 months in order to maintain a healthy smile. You might notice that after switching out the toothbrush that the bristles on your old toothbrush are worn down, at this point they aren’t cleaning our teeth properly.
Brush Your Tongue
This tip may seem a bit strange, however your tongue contains bacteria that can eventually lead to discoloration of your teeth. Beyond avoid stains on your teeth it will also lead to fresher breath. We would recommend using a softer bristled toothbrush for the tongue.
Home Treatment
We know that a lot of patients result to home treatments to whiten their teeth. We would recommend using gel trays as opposed to the strips. Although in some cases the strips can be effective, the gel trays tend to distribute evenly across your teeth and are more effective.
Avoid Certain Foods/Drinks
Here comes the hard part, avoid certain food and drinks! We know that people love their coffee however it is dark substance such as this that can create discoloring and staining on your smile. In general avoiding food and drinks with dark pigmentation are a great way to maintain or improve your smile. This includes things such as coffee, dark sodas, soy sauce, red wine, etc.
Flossing
You have probably heard more times than you can count that flossing is essential for maintaining a healthy smile but it is also vital for a white smile. Flossing all the way down to the gums as plaque gets all the way down there and can cause inflammation and decay of the gums. Getting rid of as much plaque as possible is a key factor in a white smile.
Call Our Office in Brandywine, Hockessin, Middletown, Wilmington, Millsboro, or Ocean View, DE For More Information
Should you have any further questions or if you are unhappy with your smile and wish to brighten it, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are proud to be able to offer an at home solution to our patients of whitening trays that are fitted to each patients unique smile. We hope to see you in one of our conveniently located offices soon!