Teeth whitening is a highly effective way of removing discolouration from teeth when they become stained. But there are a few steps you can take to help prevent that happening in the first place. We give you a few tips.
Cosmetic dentistry is certainly growing in popularity. Even in our family practice in the cosy village of Cuffley, dentists are increasingly sought out not to repair people’s teeth, but to make them better, and importantly, more beautiful.
In our experience, people don’t just want healthy teeth, they want teeth that are attractive. And one of the main things we associate with a lovely smile, is teeth that are sparkly white.
It should come as no surprise then that teeth whitening is among the most highly sought-after cosmetic dental procedures. This is at least in part helped by the relative affordability of the procedure. Compared to getting a full set of dental veneers, the procedure is quite affordable.
There are many different options for whitening your teeth, but all methods essentially remove staining of the teeth to restore their natural brightness. Most teeth are actually naturally bright and quite white. However, through time, as we expose our teeth to various staining agents, they take on the colour of the foods we eat and the beverages we consume regularly.
Tooth whitening removes that discolouration, restoring your teeth to their natural whiteness. As a cosmetic dental procedure it is very effective and gives great results. Importantly, however, no tooth whitening procedure is permanent. Over time, your teeth will gradually become stained again.
The good news is that there are ways of reducing the degree to which your teeth become stained. And what’s even better is that these are all things you can do at home. So whether you’ve whitened your teeth before and just want to keep them white, or want to avoid tooth discolouration in general, try these easy steps:
1. Keep staining foods & drinks to a minimum.
High on the list of tooth staining culprits are wine, tea and coffee. We wouldn’t tell you to avoid all the foods and drinks that could discolour your teeth, partially because some of them, like red berries, are healthy and should be included in a balanced diet. And some are just difficult to avoid completely. But if and where you can, try not to overdo your consumption of these foods.
2. Use a straw.
A great way of minimising contact between staining substances and your teeth is to use a straw. Whilst this admittedly won’t work very well with a hot coffee, you may want to try sipping your red berry smoothy or iced tea through a straw.
3. Brush regularly or chew gum.
As dentists, we say this all the time: brush your teeth as often as you can. Brushing will remove any residue of drink or food from lingering on your teeth and discolouring them. Brushing has plenty of other benefits too, not least of which is stopping tooth decay.
Keep smiling,
The Cuffley Village Dental Practice team.