Brush your teeth after every meal and snack. This remains the most effective way to prevent tooth staining. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and quality toothpaste, brush your teeth in all directions for at least two minutes if you are using a manual toothbrush, one for electric, to remove surface stains before they have time to set. There is no better protection against staining.
You can help reduce the amount of staining you’re expecting your toothbrush to prevent by limiting your intake of those foods and beverages that stain teeth in the first place. Reduce your intake of coffee, tea, and red wine. Limit dark sauces and berries. Eliminate soda from your diet. These steps will help reduce risks of surface staining even without brushing.
Brush your teeth as soon as possible after consuming foods or beverages that encourage staining, but be cautious: highly acidic consumables – tomato-based sauces, wine, coffee, etc. – can soften enamel. Wait at least 30 minutes to brush your teeth after consuming these things. You can rinse your mouth with water in the interim to help prevent stains from setting. Drinking a lot of water throughout the day, not just after consuming stain-causing foods, will help keep teeth bright and healthy as well.
At-Home Whitening
You can always whiten at home using proven DIY methods. Baking soda can help to remove surface stains. Peroxide can lighten surface enamel. Even coconut oil may have whitening benefits. Be wary of new fads like charcoal teeth whitening, however. Sometimes these fads work. Sometimes they come with unforeseen consequences like damage to the teeth and gums. If you have questions about safe ways to whiten your teeth at home, we would be happy to address them during your time in our care.
You can also whiten at home with professional teeth whitening kits from NYC Smile Design. Our kits come with customized application trays that help prevent solution seepage and may reduce sensitivity and oral tissue irritation. What’s more, treatment with the tooth whitening kits offered through our office is overseen by our cosmetic dentists, further protecting your comfort while working towards a significant improvement in the shade of your teeth. Maintaining results from at-home whitening is often as easy as brushing your teeth and keeping your biannual appointments for cleanings and examinations. When needed, touch-up applications can be performed to keep teeth their brightest year round.
Visit Our Office
Visiting our Manhattan office twice a year for professional cleanings and examinations allows us to remove surface stains from all areas of the teeth while also checking for signs of oral health issues that can cause tooth discoloration, sensitivity, and infection. These visits also give us an opportunity to discuss your at-home routine, enabling us to help you optimize home care for the brightest smile possible.
For some patients, an in-office teeth whitening treatment will make sense. We use advanced laser teeth whitening options that are safe, effective, and fast. Patients may see shades up to ten times lighter after a single treatment, making it one of our most popular cosmetic surgery offerings.
If your stains are below the surface and cannot be polished out, we may recommend porcelain veneers or dental bonding to cover those teeth most affected. If this would make sense for your smile, we will provide you with additional information during your next appointment.
A bright and healthy smile is not hard to maintain, but it does require effort. Call NYC Smile Design at 212-452-3344 to learn how we can help.
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