Healthy Habits: Whiter, Brighter Teeth

No matter what the Pantone color of the year is, there’s one shade that will always be in vogue:  pristine, gleaming white. It’s certainly the coveted color for teeth, but we don’t always come by pearly whites naturally. Even those who are genetically blessed in the smile department eventually succumb to age-related yellowing and lifestyle-related staining. Here are 10 easy steps, big and small, that can help give you your brightest smile ever.

    •    Change your toothbrush. It may seem simple, but a toothbrush that is past its prime (i.e. older than 3 months) has lost its ability to effectively “exfoliate” or remove build-up that can darken teeth.
    •    Try a whitening toothpaste. This is the easiest way to see immediate results in a subtle, yet affordable way.
    •    Take care of your gums. Don’t forget to floss!  Healthy pink gums can make teeth look whiter.
    •    Eat your vegetables and fruits…especially hard, crunchy raw ones like apples and carrots. The act of chewing produces saliva, which counteracts bacteria buildup.
    •    Avoid “colorful” food and drink. Coffee, tea, red wine, soda, soy sauce…even blueberries can darken teeth. But because cutting out these offenders completely is a tall order, White Glo also makes an innovative Coffee & Tea Drinkers Formula that not only removes old stains but protects against future ones with a proprietary wax “shield.”
    •    Just say “no” to acidic beverages. And that includes all those energy drinks. Acids can erode the enamel, which will cause the teeth to darken. If you do indulge, make sure to rinse with water right away.
    •    Choose the right lipstick. Blue undertones are the most flattering to teeth.
    •    Get gilded. Ever notice that people with beautiful tans also seem to have dazzling white smiles? Bronzed skin (faux, please) makes teeth look brighter. To try: Per-fekt Skin Perfection Gel available at www.beautybrands.com
    •    Tray chic. At-home whitening options abound. Many dentists prefer gel trays to strips, as they distribute the whitening agent more evenly and are more effective at reaching all the surfaces.
    •    Go for the gold standard: If you’re looking for more dramatic, permanent results, but hate the idea of invasive procedures, ask your dentist about Smile Simplicity. These are custom porcelain veneers that do not require any anesthesia or drilling away of sensitive tooth structure.   A shade can be customized to your liking, but whitening is not all they do…they also fill in gaps, even out your smile, correct chips and cracks, and more.

SmileSimplicity is a new, non-invasive smile enhancement, veneer technology that is PAIN-FREE. This is cutting edge, because, as you probably know, other veneer systems require shots, drilling and removal of sensitive tooth structure. SmileSimplicity works on stained, misaligned and gapped teeth and dramatically improves smiles quickly and painlessly. Plus, it provides permanent whitening! Here are some other signs of aging that SmileSimplicity can fix:

- Reduces Wrinkles: SmileSimplicity can reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles around the upper lip (the upper lip actually gets much better support from the procedure and "stretches" out the skin, smoothing the wrinkles)

- Provides a Youthful Smile: It is natural for teeth to wear through the years. This can result in the outlines and arches of the upper teeth to become flatter. This can effect the way you smile and is an obvious sign of aging.  Smile Simplicity evens out the teeth, provides permanent straightening and symmetry. 

- Permanent Whitening: Nothing is more rejuvenating than a bright, white smile! Your teeth should be in balance with the whites of the eyes for a younger look, which Smile Simplicity can easily achieve.  Plus, this procedure really can last permanently - no more yellow teeth!