How to Get Perfect White Teeth
Your smile is one of the first things people notice when they meet you. Whether you’re on a job interview or a date, being able to smile with confidence can help you create a positive first impression.
Here’s how to get perfect white teeth.
Practice Good Dental Hygiene
Plaque is an invisible film of bacteria that lives inside your mouth. As you eat, the bacteria consume any sugar left behind and produce an acid that attacks your teeth and gums.
While you can by brushing and flossing, only a dental professional will be able to remove tartar. That’s why it’s important that you practice good dental hygiene every day.
See Your Dentist for Preventive Care
Dental plaque hardens into tartar over time. Since tartar is porous, it gets stained by the foods and beverages you consume. The result is tartar deposits that make your teeth look yellow or brown.
In general, we recommend that our patients get a teeth cleaning every 6 months. Although, we may recommend more frequent appointments if our dentists need to closely monitor a condition, such as periodontitis.
During your teeth cleaning, we use a dental tool called a scaler to gently remove plaque and tartar. We also polish and floss your teeth for a thorough clean.
Drink Less Coffee & Tea
Even drinking per day can yellow your teeth over time. This is because coffee contains tannins, which make color compounds stick your teeth.
Tea will also stain your teeth over time. But the color depends on the type of tea you drink. For example, black tea will stain your teeth yellow while green teeth will stain your teeth gray.
Don’t want to give up your favorite morning beverage? Brushing your teeth twice a day and using custom whitening trays will help you maintain perfect white teeth.
Use Custom Teeth Whitening Trays
Generic whitening strips and trays from the store can be uncomfortable. That’s why you may want to consider custom teeth whitening trays from our dentists.
During your appointment with us, we’ll take digital dental impressions and send them to the lab. The lab will then use these impressions to create a custom tray that fits the unique contours of your teeth and gums.
When you return for your second appointment, you’ll be able to take home a whitening tray that feels comfortable and gives you professional results.
In general, we recommend staying away from most home remedies for teeth whitening. These methods may wear away the enamel on your teeth, increasing sensitivity and your risk of cavities. Also, once enamel is lost, it’s gone for good.
To achieve white teeth, schedule a consultation with one of our cosmetic dentists. They’ll be able to come up with a custom treatment plan for you that won’t harm your smile.
Ask About Porcelain Veneers
A veneer is a wafer-thin porcelain shell that we’re able to bond to the front of a tooth. This improves the tooth’s appearance so you can smile with confidence.
We may recommend veneers for the following:
- Small chips in front teeth
- Stains that don’t respond to whitening (e.g. fluorosis stains)
- Small gaps between front teeth
- Irregularly shaped teeth
The veneers procedure takes two trips to our office. During your first appointment, we’ll prepare the teeth that will be receiving veneers. This involves us removing a thin layer of enamel from the fronts of your teeth.
Next, we’ll take dental impressions and send them to the lab that will make your veneers. We’ll also use a shade guide to choose a specific color of white that will match the rest of your smile.
When you return for your second appointment, your porcelain veneers will be ready. Your dentist will ensure that the veneers fit well and are the correct shade. Then, they’ll bond the veneers to your teeth.
Related: Should I Get Porcelain Veneers? →
Request an Appointment With Us
Dr. Richard Neuman and Dr. Alexis Neuman are experienced cosmetic dentists in Grand Rapids, MI. As such, they’re proud to offer custom teeth whitening trays and porcelain veneers so you can get the beautiful white teeth you’ve always wanted.
To request an appointment, please call Advance Dental at (616) 956-9183. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone will reach out to you soon.
