Top Three Tips for Shiny Teeth on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner which means we are all trying to look our best! If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that everyone loves a beautiful white smile. There are lots of ways for you to create the smile of your dreams, and we want to share them with you. That being said, here are our top tips for shiny teeth on Valentine’s Day!

Maintain Good Habits

Even though the goal is to have a beautiful smile on Valentine’s Day, it’s important to exercise good oral habits every day. Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes. This is important for removing any food and plaque buildup on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque feed on the sugars found in our food, so removing both food and plaque is necessary for tartar buildup.

You should also remember to floss. Plaque acts quickly, so skipping a few days allows it to solidify. With proper care, our gums will stop bleeding, your teeth will stay strong and the rest of your body will be healthier. Something else that you can do on a regular basis is eat a balanced diet. The ADA recommends eating a well-balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy products to help keep your teeth healthy.

Finally, we recommend visiting your dentist regularly! There are two parts to a regular dental visit: the checkup and the cleaning. Your dental professional will check your overall oral health and locate any trouble areas during the checkup as well as remove any plaque and tartar buildup during the cleaning.

Be Aware of Certain Foods

On Valentine’s Day, there are some things you can do to keep your teeth looking shiny and bright! For example, you may want to avoid certain foods and drinks. We recommend staying away from coffee on Valentine’s Day. This particular beverage contains ingredients called tannins which can cause color compounds to stick to your teeth. It only takes one cup to leave a yellow hue on your smile. Instead, you may want replace this morning beverage with a tall glass of water.

Another beverage that can stain your teeth is red wine. This discoloration happens because red wine contains acids, tannins, and natural dyes. All of these elements can leave teeth etched and stained. There are a few ways to prevent these stains though! You can use a straw, eat crunchy foods while drinking, chew sugarless gum, or drink water with your wine to prevent severe staining.

Our last recommendation is to avoid candy. The sugar in candy feeds the bacteria in your mouth that causes tooth decay. Some candies are worse than others because they sit on your teeth, fostering more bacteria growth. The worst candies for your teeth are sticky candies, hard candies, and sour candies. That being said, sugar-free candies are less damaging to your teeth and can be enjoyed in moderation.

Consider Dental Treatments

Our final recommendation for shiny Valentine’s Day teeth is to consider dental treatments. Teeth whitening may be a good option for you. When the enamel of your teeth become discolored from certain foods and drinks, removing those stains can be effective and rewarding. Whitening or bleaching consists of a gel-like material composed of the active ingredient hydrogen peroxide which strips away surface stains. At Downtown Franklin Family Dentistry, we offer two different whitening options which vary in strength.

Veneers are a very nice esthetic option for teeth that become discolored from trauma, stains, genetic disorders, or even medications. They are made from porcelain in a lab and cover the front and edge of the teeth. They are a minimally invasive alternative for creating a beautiful smile.

Gumline fillings are another options we recommend. As our mouth functions and chews, our teeth take on a large amount of force. Sometimes, we may grind or clench our teeth which places excessive force and can damage our teeth and gums. This can result in chipping of enamel and thinning of gum tissue at the area where the tooth meets the gemlike. When this happens, the enamel is lost. This leaves the decay prone to dentin and/or the root exposed. In either case, a small filling may be recommended to restore the missing tooth structure and protect the tooth from any further damage.

Our dental professionals are here for you! Whether you’re looking to enhance your smile for Valentine’s Day or to keep your teeth healthy every day, we can lend a helping hand. To schedule a regular appointment or a whitening treatment at Downtown Franklin Family Dentistry, visit our website or give us a call at 615-595-6111.