If you’ve ever felt self-conscious about tooth discoloration, it’s time to talk to your dentist about professional teeth whitening.
Whether you want a white smile for a special event or just to boost your confidence, we can help whiten your smile by several shades. Our teeth whitening dentists can help you determine the best way to whiten teeth.
Continue reading to learn more about professional teeth whitening before your next appointment with us. We look forward to hearing from you!
1.) Limit Staining Foods and Drinks
You may need to look no further than your coffee mug to discover how your teeth became dull or yellow over time. Certain foods and drinks can stain the surface of your enamel, such as coffee, tea, and red wine. To help you maintain a naturally white smile, we may recommend you limit certain foods and drinks. This is especially important after you achieve a white smile after an in-office treatment.
2.) Brush and Floss Every Day
Plaque is an invisible film of bacteria that lives on your teeth. Over time, plaque buildup can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Hardened plaque (tartar) can also give your teeth a yellow or brown-colored tinge. One of the best ways to protect your white smile is to brush twice a day and floss once daily.
Most dentists agree that you’ll need to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes at a time. If we still find plenty of plaque and tartar on your teeth, we may recommend a fluoride treatment during your next appointment.
3.) Schedule Your Teeth Cleaning
Over time, plaque builds up on the surface of your teeth and hardens into tartar. Since tartar can only be removed by a dental professional, it’s important that you schedule your routine teeth cleaning and oral examination every 6 months. If you had a lot of tartar buildup, your teeth may look slightly whiter after a dental cleaning at our office. Your dental hygienist will use a tool called a scaler to gently scrape plaque and tartar from teeth.
4.) Ask About Professional Teeth Whitening
Interested in teeth whitening at home? Your dentist may recommend custom teeth whitening trays to help you achieve a whiter smile. First, we’ll need to take impressions of your teeth to send to the lab.
When you come back for your second appointment, your teeth whitening tray will be ready. Your teeth whitening dentist may slightly adjust the fit of your tray so it fits comfortably. We also offer professional teeth whitening done in our office.
5.) Get Dental Crowns or Veneers
Each smile is different. If you only need to improve the shade of one tooth, your dentist may recommend dental crowns or porcelain veneers. A dental crown covers the entire visible portion of your tooth above the gum line and can be placed in one appointment with CEREC. However, your dentist may recommend porcelain veneers to save as much natural tooth structure as possible. Veneers are wafer-thin porcelain shells we bond to the fronts of your teeth that show when you smile or talk.
Our dentists will help you explore your options to determine the best way to whiten teeth. To schedule your appointment with one of our Grand Rapids dentists, call Complete Health Dentistry at (616) 458-7267.
