Your dentist, Dr. Marco Fernandez of Advanced Family Dentistry in Parsippany, NJ, can help you keep your smile bright and healthy. Would you like to avoid a dull smile? These tips may help.
Stay Away From the Foods That Stain Teeth
Avoiding the foods and beverages that cause stains can keep your teeth whiter. Any food or beverage that contains dark pigments, including berries, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, ice pops, candy, coffee, tea, red wine, or cola, can make your teeth look duller.
Every time that you consume these foods and beverages, dark pigments seep into the microscopic pores in your tooth enamel. As the pigments collect, your once-bright teeth become dull and stained.
If you're like most people, you're probably not willing to give up your morning cup of coffee/tea or completely eliminate blueberries from your diet. Rinsing your mouth or brushing your teeth after you consume these foods and beverages may help reduce staining, although it won't prevent it completely.
Quit Smoking
It's hard to keep your teeth white when you smoke. Every time, you take a puff, your teeth become coated with a yellow film. Quitting smoking helps you maintain a whiter smile and also decreases irritation and inflammation in your mouth.
Talk to Your Dentist
If your teeth aren't quite as white as you'd like, ask your dentist for recommendations the next time you visit our Parsippany office. You might benefit from one of these whitening options:
- Teeth Whitening: Professional teeth whitening only takes about an hour in the dental office and can leave your teeth up to eight shades whiter. The hydrogen peroxide whitening gel applied to your teeth breaks apart and removes dark pigments in your enamel.
- Veneers: Thin shells called veneers cover stains on the fronts of your teeth. The porcelain or plastic shells are attached with dental cement and are extremely stain-resistant.
Are you ready to brighten your smile? Call your dentist in Parsippany, NJ, Dr. Fernandez of Advanced Family Dentistry, at (973) 263-7300 to schedule your appointment.