Category: Blog

It might not seem like it, but your teeth are like sponges. They are porous, which means they have little holes all over them that are ready to absorb whatever is thrown against them. This can be a good thing or a bad thing. For most people, it means that your teeth absorb staining liquids like coffee and wine. Over time, the natural shine of your pearly-whites can start to lose its luster. Thankfully, though, these little pores also open up the possibility for teeth whitening treatments to take care of those stains!

What You Can Do

There are a lot of options out there in terms of teeth whitening. Teeth whitening kits, teeth whitening strips, teeth bleaching, and other teeth whitening products are all easily obtainable and completely safe. Many people believe that they are damaging to teeth, but if you use them correctly then that simply isn’t the case!

There are many differences between the whitening products out there. Most of them use the same basic ingredients because every company and dentist knows what works. The difference, though, is the delivery method. All of the methods work but to varying degrees.

Whitening toothpastes, for example, are diluted with water and then lathered onto your teeth, but quickly washed off seconds later. Whitening strips are held against the teeth by an adhesive, which works better than the toothpaste. However, the absolute best way to get your teeth white fast would be to stop in to your local dentist and get a whitening treatment. Dentists use a thick gel that makes its way through all the crevices of your teeth and is held securely by a tray. It is safe and effective.

The teeth whitening you choose is up to you, but it’s important to know that each method will yield varying results, so choose wisely!

Are you interested in a bright, healthy, cavity-free smile? Wondering what else you can do besides proper at-home dental care and professional dental treatments? Address your diet! Much like other parts of your body, what you consume can have a big impact on how healthy your smile is. Wondering which foods and beverages to avoid? Here are just a few:

Citrus

Although citrus fruits pack an amazing dose of Vitamin C, the acidity found in these foods can actually be harmful to your smile. The acid contained in acidic foods such as citrus can erode your tooth enamel, leaving you more at risk for decay, cavities, and infections.

Coffee

For most adults in America, the thought of life without coffee can be a scary one. However, if you are looking for a bright, white, healthy smile, it may be best to at least cut-down. Coffee can not only stain teeth but can also result in dry mouth and bacterial overgrowth. If coffee is a must, try using a straw and rinsing it down with a nice glass of water.

Sticky Foods

Sticky foods such as dried fruits, candies and taffies can all be especially bad for your dental health. These foods often get stuck to teeth and have high amounts of sugar, increasing your risk of decay and cavities.

Soda

Soda has become a staple in the American diet for most; however, for those interested in optimal oral health, it may be better just to drink some water. The sugar found in these beverages is consumed by bacteria, creating acid which in turn erodes enamel. When enamel has been eroded, a patient is much more likely to have decay and cavities.

Much like the rest of your body, diet has a huge impact on your oral health. When it comes to keeping your smile healthy, be sure to avoid foods high in sugar, acidity or that are overly sticky. Contact our dentistry in St. Pete Beach to know more!