By: Better Homes & Gardens
This article was published in
Nothing says healthy, confident and sexy like a bright smile. Ready to flash yours?
Have your pearlies been looking a little less than lustrous lately? Coffee, red wine, cola, even dark berries and foods like beetroot and chocolate can stain your teeth over time. As for smoking? Fuhgeddaboutit. Teeth with an off-white or greyish hue also tell tales about your age. As we grow older, the top layer of protective tooth enamel becomes thinner, revealing more of the naturally yellower dentin beneath.
Want it white now?
If you’re after a faster, more dramatic fix, an ‘in chair’ treatment with a dental pro is the way to go. The popular Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed process promises to get your chompers up to eight shades whiter in one 90-minute session. Impressive, right? Here’s how it works: hydrogen peroxide gel is applied to teeth then activated by LED light in 15-minute sessions. The intensity of the light can be controlled, making it accessible for those with sensitivity.
Struck by whitening
Following whitening treatment, you’ll need to stick to a ‘white’ menu, avoiding foods and drinks that stain for at least 48 hours as teeth will be porous. The following tips will also help you achieve and maintain a beautiful, bright smile:
- Drink your daily water target.
- Become a cleaning, flossing demon.
- Chomp on foods that promote saliva production – celery, carrots, apples.
- Chew sugarless gum
- See your dentist for regular check-ups.
- Give up the ciggies!
DID YOU KNOW?
Healthy gums and teeth also offer you protection against heart disease. Get on it!
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