Stop dental stains in their tracks with these simple, smile-friendly habits.
Is there anything more beautiful than a dazzling white smile? While everyone’s smile will age and dull over time, many of our everyday habits can also have a profound impact on the appearance of our teeth. While receiving professional dental cleanings from our Lafayette, LA, dentist, Dr. Ken LeBlanc, will help remove surface stains, some of the best ways to prevent new stains from forming include these daily habits:
Brush after each meal
If you really want to prevent new stains from forming, you may want to amp up your brushing routine from twice a day to after each meal or snack. By brushing your teeth immediately after eating, you remove food particles that could potentially stain your teeth. At the very least, you should rinse your mouth out with water or an oral rinse if you don’t have access to a toothbrush.
Floss every day
While brushing is great for removing food and plaque from the front and back surfaces of your teeth, stains can still form between teeth, as well. This is why it’s important that you floss every day to keep plaque buildup to a minimum. Flossing is the one habit that people tend to neglect, but it can greatly improve your oral health.
Use whitening toothpaste
If you aren’t already, you may want to consider purchasing a whitening toothpaste. These toothpastes contain active ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, and potassium nitrate. With regular use, whitening toothpastes can help remove superficial surface stains while also preventing new stains from developing. Not sure of the best whitening toothpaste for you? Our Lafayette, LA, dentist would be happy to provide some suggestions.
Alter your diet
If you truly want to maintain a radiant smile, then it may be time to look at the biggest dental stain culprits of all: foods and drinks. Many dark-colored foods and drinks, such as red wine, contain chromogens, which can easily stain porous tooth enamel. Over time, these stains can become difficult to treat, especially if you also aren’t maintaining good oral hygiene. If you want to prevent these stains, it’s a good idea to limit the amount of dark foods and drinks that you consume every day.
If you are still struggling to achieve a whiter smile, it may be time to talk with our Lafayette, LA, family dentist about undergoing cosmetic dentistry. We offer everything from dental bonding and teeth whitening to dental veneers to hide any and all discolorations and stains. To schedule a cosmetic consultation, please call (337) 406-9994.