Top 8 Ways to Brighten Your Smile

A bright smile empowers you to live your life with confidence. You should be able to smile and laugh without hesitation! However, sometimes life dulls our smile and leaves yellow stains.

Coffee, red wine, tobacco, and unhealthy foods all have the power to tint your teeth. If you’re not willing to give up coffee or alcohol, you may want to find other ways to brighten your smile.

Fortunately, there are several whitening options available. All are safe if done correctly.

That being said, improper whitening techniques can damage the enamel of your teeth and create sensitivity. For this reason, whitening is best done with the supervision and guidance of your dentist.

This article will examine the top 8 methods to brighten your smile.

Whitening Toothpaste

The first tip for brightening your smile is to switch to whitening toothpaste. While all toothpaste combat surface staining to some degree, whitening toothpaste specialize in stain removal.

They often contain abrasive ingredients that scrub the surface of your teeth. Certain whitening toothpaste can even be used more than twice daily without damaging your enamel.

Brushing your teeth with whitening toothpaste after every meal will help with brightening. If you brush more than twice daily, ensure that you use a toothbrush with soft bristles to protect your enamel.

Drink Less Coffee

Drinking coffee can, unfortunately, stain your teeth. The tannins present in coffee leave a yellow stain over time. This staining doesn’t necessarily indicate poor oral health but dulls your smile.

If you cannot imagine life without your cups of coffee, try to rinse your mouth with water afterwards. This won’t eliminate staining completely; however, it does wash some tannins away.

Alternatively, you can also have fewer coffees per day.

Quit Tobacco

Smoking and other tobacco products will turn your teeth yellow. This staining also goes hand-in-hand with other, more serious oral conditions.

Smoking or using tobacco products makes you much more likely to develop gum disease and oral cancer. The yellow stain on your teeth is just the beginning of the bad news.

Chew Sugar-free Gum

Sugar gums are not good for oral health and can promote cavities. However, sugar-free gum that contains xylitol can actually help your smile.

Xylitol gums combat plaque build-up, thus whitening your teeth. Furthermore, chewing gum encourages saliva production and can dislodge food particles stuck between your teeth.

Try Some Home Remedies

There are many home remedies for a faded smile. One is to rub the inside of a banana peel over your teeth and then rinse thoroughly. Typically, you should see some whitening after doing this 4-5 times.

If bananas don’t appeal to you, then try combining baking soda and lemon to make a whitening paste. Baking soda has whitening properties and can be used in several at-home teeth whitening recipes.

However, excessive use of baking soda breaks down your enamel. Your teeth will become more sensitive and, because baking soda does not kill bacteria, you may develop more cavities.

Therefore, if you use baking soda to whiten your teeth, ensure that you brush thoroughly after each application.

Over-the-counter Products

Some over-the-counter products promise teeth whitening. However, these are often too good to be true. It takes much longer to whiten your teeth with these products (if they work at all).

Generally, you can choose from whitening strips or trays. Whitening strips take many weeks to work, whereas pre-made trays offer an imperfect fit at best.

Consequently, neither are effective whitening methods.

Regular Cleanings

You should visit your dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning and check-up. During these appointments, your dentist performs stain removal and polishing.

They use a polishing paste and polishing cup that removes stubborn stains, so you leave with a brighter smile.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Your dentist can provide professional teeth whitening, which is far more effective than at-home whitening methods. The results also last longer than with over-the-counter products.

Moreover, you won’t risk damaging your enamel by attempting to whiten your teeth yourself.

With Bloor West Smiles, you can whiten your teeth from the comfort of your own home under the advice of a dentist. You will meet for initial treatment and custom fitting of your own take-home whitening tray.

You will also be instructed on how to do so safely.

Brighten Your Smile With Bloor West Smiles!

If you want to brighten your smile, your dentist's professional whitening is the safest and most effective option. Talk with your dentist first if you want to try an over-the-counter option or at-home remedy.

Some techniques can damage teeth if done improperly (such as baking soda), and some individuals should not attempt whitening.

If you have sensitive teeth or unhealthy gums, whitening may not be for you.

The experts at Bloor West Smiles can help you choose the best whitening method that doesn’t compromise your oral health.

Our professional teeth whitening services are entirely customized and won’t damage your enamel. With Bloor West Smiles, you can finally have the bright smile of your dreams!

To learn more about cosmetic dentistry in Toronto, call Bloor West Smiles at 647-371-1407 or contact us here.