Book an appointment for an in-office whitening
Once you’ve mastered a cleansing routine, you can begin to critically evaluate your teeth for color. If you notice brown or purplish stains and you know you drink “known offenders,” aka staining beverages such as tea, coffee, or red wine, you are likely a good candidate for in-office tooth whitening. In Dr. Russo’s office, the procedure consists of a dental cleaning to remove surface staining. Then, teeth are dried and a gel that breaks down into hydrogen peroxide is applied and activated with an ultraviolet light to achieve a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide (this will dissolve and bleach the internal staining in the pores of your teeth). In-office tooth whitening can be further enhanced with take-home whitening trays, which are mainly used as touch-up kits. Pro tip: Do not consume colored beverages such as tea, coffee, and red wine for 48 hours after whitening while the pores of your teeth are still open, as this will cause re-staining.
Get a Shade Upgrade
If despite your good oral habits you still don’t love the shade of your teeth, it may be time to talk with your Katy dentist about professional tooth whitening. This not-so-secret trick of the trade has long been used by patients who want quick results with professional oversight. Unlike drugstore varieties, professional tooth whitening treatments are customized according to your individual needs. Prescription-strength whitening solutions also tend to be stronger and more effective – just what you need to start flashing a brighter smile.
Try Smile Exercises
Exercise is good for your body’s muscles – even the ones in your face. If you are hoping for a more attractive smile, a two-minute daily work-out could get the job done. Start by flattening your lips tightly together and using your facial muscles to pull the corners of your mouth as widely apart as possible. Hold this lateral smile until your facial muscles ache slightly, and then release. Do it again, but this time attempt to wiggle your nose up and down while holding the position. Finally, suck in your cheeks and stick your lips out. Then, activate your smile muscles without actually smiling. Hold this position for five seconds, and release.
