5 Ways to Brighten Your Teeth

brightenyourteethA beautiful smile can help you feel confident and make a great impression. However, over time a variety of factors can lead to stained teeth. What causes discoloration and what can we do to avoid unsightly brown or yellow stains? Today, we’re looking at five ways to brighten your smile.

Brighten Your Smile in Lafayette, LA

  1. You should avoid drinks with dark pigments: Coffee, soda, red wine, and tea are all examples of drinks tat contain dark pigments. By consuming these drinks in large amounts, you can allow stains to form on your teeth. Instead cut back on the consumption of these drinks and enjoy more water.
  2. Reduce the consumption of sugary snacks: When you eat snacks containing high amount of sugar, bacteria break down the sugar particles. In doing so, the teeth are coated in a layer of plaque. This layer of buildup makes the teeth easy to stain, leading to discoloration. Cutting back on candy and chips can protect your oral health and help your teeth remain whiter for longer.
  3. Brush your teeth twice a day: When you brush your teeth, you remove food particles and bacteria from your mouth. This prevents bacteria from breaking down food and causing plaque buildup, which can lead to discoloration. You should use a brush with the ADA seal of approval on the packaging and only use a brush with soft bristles. Hard bristles can lead to worn enamel.
  4. Have your teeth cleaned professionally: A professional cleaning is the only way to completely remove plaque from your teeth. In addition, the procedure always includes a polishing, which can brighten your smile. Finally, another bonus of a professional cleaning is a reduced risk of developing gum disease.
  5. Teeth whitening techniques: At our office we offer three forms of teeth whitening, including an at-home and in-office option. Our treatments can remove stains and brighten smiles by multiple shades.

