Many Americans believe that their smile has an effect on their personal relationships with other people. A smile can be white and healthy, with proper spacing, but it can also be unhealthy, with brown and yellow stains from either coffee or nicotine, and the results in social interactions couldn’t be more different.
Dentists preach a healthy smile, and to them that means more than just the color quality of the teeth. Dentists preach a smile that does not have cavities or gums that do not have gingivitis. They preach a smile that is not only good looking in terms of appearance but also healthy and having quality that will last until they fall out.
74% of adults think that an unattractive smile can hurt them professionally, according to an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry survey. Almost all adults (99.7%) surveyed the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry believe a health smile is socially important. And 32% of people say they’re “concerned by the look of their teeth.”
The lack of a healthy smile is an indicator for many of not going to the dentist, of lack of brushing and flossing, of not taking care of their teeth, and of unhealthy habits such as an excess of coffee drinking and an unhealthy amount of nicotine or smoke hitting the teeth. People can feel uncomfortable about their teeth, leading to self-consciousness.
Nearly half the population are unhappy with their teeth with discolored teeth (64%) being the main reason for the unhappiness. There are different ways a person can go about making their teeth whiter. Dentists have many recommendations. Here are a few that may help.
1: Brush Teeth regularly
Brushing teeth is hardly a novel approach to keeping teeth white and looking fresh. It is recommended by dentists and has been shown in dentist offices for years with proper technique to brush. Many commercials with dentists seem to indicate this. Brushing is a key to preserving the health of teeth and of making them whiter.
Generally, dentists recommend that people brush twice a day: once at morning and the other at night. People should brush in a circle like stroke, which allows the bristles of the tooth brush to clean away plaque from the teeth. Dentists recommend a toothpaste that carves away at that plaque.
People use different kinds of toothbrushes to clean their teeth. Many dentists are now recommending the use of a soft or extra soft toothbrush, as this protects the gums. A soft toothbrush may get in those nooks and crannies that a firm toothbrush would have trouble doing.
2: Use a Whitening Mouthwash
A whitening mouthwash is used by some individuals for its teeth whitening properties. A whitening mouthwash has certain chemicals in it that eat away at the plaque. Many contain fluoride and others contain alcohol (though there are non-alcoholic whitening mouthwashes as well).
A whitening mouthwash should be used every night, or according to instructions. Mouthwash should be swished around the mouth, generally for 30 to 60 seconds (or again, according to instructions), then spit out. Generally, the person who is using the mouthwash should not eat or drink for a period of time.
3: Use Whitening Strips
Whitening strips are another popular option for cleaning teeth by ridding them of yellowness. Whitening strips have a number of dentists supporting them and are offered by many of the major teeth product manufacturers. Whitening strips are often used in conjunction with whitening mouthwash.
Whitening strips are generally small trips that are folded around the teeth and placed there for a period of two to five minutes. Once the strips are taken off, the teeth should look noticeably whiter, with some of the plaque having come off.
Many dentists will recommend these tools, as well as staying away from nicotine and coffee, at least to excess. There are many dentists available that offer a more complete and effective treatment to whiten teeth. A family dentistry, a family dentist, or a practice include multiple family dentists can help.
Dental services usually range in price from a small copay to hundreds of dollars, depending on the treatment that is required. Dental services can impact a deductible, as part of a dental insurance plan. Dental services can include x-rays or more extensive treatment.
Dental services help to preserve teeth.