If you’re a big believer in New Year’s resolutions and setting intentions for the year to come, you’ve probably made goals for your personal development, your career, and your physical fitness and appearance. Maybe one of those goals is to have a whiter smile. So what are some of the ways you can get a whiter smile this year?
Whitening toothpaste
Using a toothpaste with whitening ingredients, as opposed to a regular or non-whitening toothpaste, can help keep your teeth looking bright and white. Don’t ever use whitening toothpastes that have abrasive particles though, as this can cause severe damage to your tooth enamel.
What’s most important about your toothpaste is using it! Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is crucial to keeping them white, no matter what type of toothpaste you choose.
Eating strategically
You probably know that certain foods can stain your teeth—coffee and red wine, we’re looking at you—so avoiding those foods (as much as possible, anyway) is critical to preventing tooth staining, as is minimizing the damage by drinking water after eating staining foods, among other things. (Read more on how to combat coffee stains here.)
It’s also important to eat foods that promote bright, white smiles, foods like apples, strawberries, and oranges. Check out our lists of 7 Great Foods for Bright White Teeth and 12 Foods for Whiter Teeth.
At-home whitening
There are a myriad of at-home whitening treatments, from mouthwashes and gels to strips and trays and more. No matter your price point, there is a whitening treatment in your budget. While the results will vary, and will not be as significant as professional whitening treatments, many people find that they get whiter teeth as a result of using these products.
A word of caution with at-home whitening products: first, make sure that the product you’re using doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients or any that you’re allergic to. Also, ensure that you follow the product’s instructions; leaving treatments on for extra time won’t make your teeth whiter—it will make them weaker. If you experience tooth sensitivity or pain when using a whitening product, stop and consult your dentist.
Professional whitening
Your dentist has a variety of ways to whiten your teeth. One of the most common methods is peroxide gel which is applied directly to the teeth, in office. Immediately after treatment, your teeth can be up to ten shades whiter! Of course, this method can be more expensive than some of the other methods we’ve mentioned, though it has the quickest, most dramatic results.
If you want to brighten your smile this year, you have a variety of options available to you, ranging in cost and difficulty. The best way to keep your teeth white is to get your regular dental checkups and maintain good brushing and flossing habits. Want a whiter smile this year? Make an appointment with Mogren Dental to discuss your whitening options!
