A white smile doesn't have to fade. With good daily habits and help from your dentist, you can keep a natural-looking and healthy smile for life.
Read this guide to learn the dos and don'ts of smile maintenance and book a consultation with our cosmetic dentists in Brisbane to discuss your personal smile goals today.
Avoid sources of stains
Red wine, tea and coffee, tomato sauces and other foods and drinks with strong pigments (chromogens) can leave these pigments behind on your teeth, especially if you have them frequently. Generally speaking, if something can stain a tablecloth, it can stain teeth enamel too.
As well as cutting down on staining culprits, you can also reduce their effects by sipping water alongside them and not holding liquids in your mouth before swallowing.
Limit acids and sugar
Alcohol, soft drinks, lollies and other food and drinks high in sugar and acidity can weaken teeth and lead to plaque building up, causing a yellow appearance. Plaque build-up can also cause tooth decay, gum disease and associated health problems if it's not removed by a dentist.
Brush and floss daily
Brushing your teeth twice a day, preferably in the morning and at night, helps to reduce plaque and surface stains from forming. You should brush for around two minutes using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid scratching the enamel.
It's also important to floss at least once a day. This cleans the parts of your mouth that your toothbrush can't reach, where leftover food and plaque can get trapped. If you're not used to flossing, your dentist might suggest alternatives such as a floss threader, interdental brushes or a water flosser. They may also discuss other products such as mouth rinses if you need to improve your oral health.
Avoid smoking
As well as being bad for your health, smoking is a major cause of teeth stains. Quitting smoking or cutting down could reduce this discolouration, as well as lowering your risk of oral health problems such as gum disease and oral cancer.
Visit the dentist
Regular dental check-ups are important for helping to keep your teeth healthy and free from stains. It's recommended to see a dentist twice a year so they can treat any problems before they become serious. They also provide oral hygiene treatments to remove plaque and tartar and protect your teeth from further build-up.
If your teeth are stained or discoloured, you can also discuss cosmetic dentistry options with your dentist if you want to restore the lost whiteness, including teeth whitening and composite or porcelain veneers.
Oral hygiene and cosmetic dentistry in Brisbane
If it's been longer than 6 months since you last saw a dentist or you want to discuss whitening and other treatments to restore your smile, our local professionals at Swish Dental can help.
Call us in Everton Park on (07) 3355 1422 or in Mitchelton on (07) 3354 3341, or book a consultation online and we'll be in touch as soon as we can.