Tips for Keeping Your Teeth White

Millions of Americans dream of having a mouth full of gleaming white teeth. Many are dissatisfied with the color of their teeth, and seek cheap over-the-counter whitening methods. These products vary widely in terms of effectiveness, and are almost always less effective than professional teeth whitening performed by a skilled dentist. If you're dying to improve the color of your teeth, you should speak with John R. Pallotta, DMD of Lexington and consider the following pieces of advice.

Brush and Floss Regularly
The best piece of dental advice you'll ever receive is to brush and floss regularly. All dentists recommend brushing twice a day—once in the morning and once at night—and flossing once a day. Your teeth are always accumulating plaque and stains, and brushing is the best way to keep them clear. Your dentist might recommend special whitening toothpaste to further help remove surface stains.

Avoid Certain Foods and Beverages
If you're truly dedicated to whitening your teeth, you'll need to give up or limit certain foods and beverages. Tomato sauce, berries, and candy are some foods that commonly stain teeth, while red wine, coffee, tea, and soda are notorious teeth-staining beverages. Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco can further stain your teeth. If you cannot prevent yourself from eating the above foods, you should at least try to limit your intake and brush or rinse your teeth afterward. One way to limit the stains caused by beverages is to drink them through a straw—that way, the liquid bypasses your front teeth.

Consider Professional Teeth Whitening
If you're still unsatisfied with the color of your teeth, speak with John R. Pallotta, DMD about your whitening options . We can offer you in-office bleaching, ADA-approved whitening toothpaste, or a custom at-home bleaching tray. Dentists are permitted to use much more powerful whitening agents than over-the-counter whitening products, which means you'll get a much better treatment by visiting a dentist. Your dentist can also touch up your teeth during a routine checkup.