How to Get Whiter Teeth in 4 Easy Steps

Over time, your teeth can develop stains and discoloration that diminish their shine and luster. Luckily, you don’t have to live with less than a dazzling smile. In fact, you can whiten your teeth and restore their natural beauty in just four easy steps! Let your dentist in Douglasville teach you how. 

• Brush & Floss

Brushing your teeth is not only good for your oral health but also good for preventing staining. Ideally, you should brush your teeth after every meal; however, twice a day is a good place to start. In addition to brushing after every meal and snack, try getting into habits like rinsing and spitting after you eat — it’ll help clear food from between your teeth and prevent bacteria from being left behind that could lead to staining. But you can’t forget about the floss. Flossing is just as important as brushing when it comes to both maintaining a healthy mouth and a white smile. Flossing helps remove plaque from between teeth, preventing discoloration. 

• Avoid Tobacco

When you smoke or chew tobacco (or anything else containing nicotine), it stains your teeth and gums. Pair the nicotine with tar and you have a double whammy. Even small amounts of tar build up over time, making your teeth appear yellowed and stained. Avoiding tobacco can help keep your teeth stain-free and bright and white.

• Smile Whitening Treatments

There are two main types of smile whitening treatments — over-the-counter products and professional in-office whitening. There are pros and cons to each. 

• Whitening strips are affordable, easy to use, and available at nearly every drugstore. However, it often takes longer to see results and the results can be short-lived. Additionally, the whitening gel can easily come in contact with the gums and cause irritation. 
• Professional teeth whitening requires an appointment but is done by a dental professional who can ensure each and every tooth is getting treated and that your gums aren’t exposed to the whitening ingredients. 

The downside of either whitening treatment? They may leave your teeth feeling a bit sensitive for a few days following treatment. Determining the right option for you requires a chat with your dentist in Douglasville.

• Cosmetic Dentistry

When tooth stains are more than surface stains, they can be very difficult to impossible to remove through brushing and traditional whitening treatments alone. Luckily, there are cosmetic dentistry options, such as veneers, that can help. Veneers can take years off your appearance by covering unsightly stains and imperfections like gaps or spaces between teeth. They’re custom-created to be the perfect size, shape, and color for an enhanced, yet natural, appearance. 

If you’re looking for a professional way to get whiter teeth, start with the basics. If you’re not seeing the results you want, cosmetic dental solutions are available that can make a difference in just one or two office visits. For more information about how you can get whiter teeth, schedule an appointment with your dentist in Douglasville today! 

How to Freshen Your Breath for National Fresh Breath Day

National Fresh Breath Day is celebrated on August 6th this year, and if you’re feeling like your breath could use some freshening, you’re not alone. In fact, wondering how to freshen breath is one of the most common questions your dentist in Douglasville is asked. So whether you’re preparing for an important business meeting or getting ready for a date, having fresh breath will leave you feeling confident and ready to take on the day ahead of you. Follow these tips to have your breath smelling great in no time at all!

Brush & Floss

You’ve heard us say it before and you’ll hear us say it again — brushing and flossing your teeth daily is the best way to keep dental problems at bay, including bad breath. Make sure you’re brushing your teeth at least every morning and before bed every night. If you can, try to brush after meals, too. When it comes to flossing, we recommend flossing at least once a day with traditional floss or a water flosser. Also, don’t forget to clean your tongue! Tons of bacteria linger on the bumpy surface, so it’s important to gently brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth. 

Avoid Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is one of the leading causes of bad breath, so to combat bad breath you need to first combat dry mouth. Dry mouth can be caused by numerous things such as alcohol, soft drinks, tobacco, and certain medications. Of course, we never recommend stopping any medications without first speaking to your physician. We do recommend drinking plenty of water throughout the day to help keep your mouth hydrated. 

Eat Your Vegetables

Eating a well-balanced diet packed with fresh vegetables isn’t just good for your body, it’s also good for your teeth and gums. Crunchy veggies help gently scrub away bacteria and can even help hydrate your mouth. Also, green leafy vegetables such as chard, kale, collard, mustard, spinach, and alfalfa are loaded with chlorophyll, which happens to be a natural deodorizer. 

See Your Dental Hygienist

We all know that your dentist in Douglasville recommends visiting at least twice a year, or more often for those who have a history of gum disease or other oral health problems. But did you know that checkups and cleanings with your hygienist can also help keep your breath fresh? Getting professional cleanings regularly will help remove both bacteria and sticky plaque that’s impossible to remove at home — both of which can contribute to bad breath.

If you really want fresh breath on National Fresh Breath Day — and every day of your life — see your dentist in Douglasville today. Dentists are experts at diagnosing underlying problems like gum disease and tooth decay, so they can give you targeted solutions for keeping your mouth healthy and fresh-smelling.