There is nothing more pleasant about a person than seeing his or her bright, white smile. This is perhaps the easiest way of making a good impression upon others. This is why Dale Carnegie, renowned management and interpersonal skills trainer and instructor, in his famous book ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ mentioned smiling as one of the ways of becoming a good conversationalist.
Having a good smile also helps in the professional setting. According to Kelton Research, applicants who have white teeth have a nearly 60% higher chance of obtaining a job offer and more than 50% higher chance of being offered a higher salary than those who do not.
Woodbridge dentist Dr. Cavallo understands the concerns many patients have about a darkening smile and how they can help prevent it with good oral hygiene and lifestyle habits.
Truth is, there is more to whitening your teeth than just cosmetic dentistry and whitening toothpaste. In fact, there are many things you can do – or not do- daily to improve your smile and reduce teeth darkening.
Don’t:
- Bathe your teeth in energy drinks: Energy drinks may be good for giving you a temporary mental and physical boost, but it sure isn’t doing your teeth any good. Energy drinks contain very strong acids and bathing your teeth in it will erode it and is sure going to give you cosmetic concerns later on. It has the same effect as many citrus fruits and caffeinated drinks such as coffee and tea.
- Consume dark foods: Be sure to limit dark foods such as blueberries, soy sauce, and marinara sauce as they contain dark pigmentation. Despite the health benefits of blueberries, such foods can stain your teeth and may require repeated visits to the dentist. After consumption, drink plenty of water to rinse the teeth.
- Use baking soda: Just because baking soda is good for removing stains from your home does not mean it will do the same for your teeth. Baking soda contains harmful chemicals that, upon application, can eat away at the enamel and ultimately darken your teeth.
Do:
- Consume fruits and vegetables: Eating raw fruits and vegetables is not only good for your body, but also for your teeth. Eating fresh apples, carrots, and cauliflowers, for instance, can remove stains from your teeth’s surface and prevent cavities from forming.
- Change your toothbrush frequently: It is also recommended that you change your toothbrush every 3 or so months. This is because the bristles get worn out and are no longer effective at cleaning stains on your teeth.
- Rinse your mouth with water after having citrus fruits: Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons maybe good for your health, but it is always better to wash your mouth thoroughly afterwards due to it being highly acidic. Rinsing the mouth with water will prevent the acid from corroding your teeth.
How Can We Help?
Dr. Cavallo offers a variety of cosmetic treatments to address whatever cosmetic concerns you have when it comes to your smile.
- Zoom Teeth whitening
- Dental veneers and tooth bonding
- Dental crowns
Ready to reveal a brighter and more youthful smile? Contact our Woodbridge VA dentist office for a consultation to discuss your options.
