5 Ways to Promote a Whiter, Healthier Smile

In January, many of our patients ask about teeth whitening. We understand why: It can be a huge confidence-booster to start a new year with a bright, white smile. 

Our team at Heather M. Wilmore, DDS, in Houston, Texas, specializes in cosmetic dentistry treatments that can revitalize your smile safely. Our boutique-style practice emphasizes patient relationships, so we take time with you to discuss your smile goals and provide personalized tips. 

Promoting and maintaining a bright, white smile often comes down to daily choices. Here are five ways to help you love your smile and keep it bright and healthy. 

1. Avoid teeth-staining foods and drinks

Certain foods and drinks are notorious for teeth-staining, and deservedly so. Many patients who come to us for professional whitening have a daily habit of consuming at least one of the following. 

• Coffee
• Tea
• Dark carbonated beverages, like colas
• Red wine
• Tomato sauce
• Soy sauce
• Dark berries like blackberries and blueberries

We understand that you can’t necessarily avoid these things all the time. When you can, make small adjustments, like drinking your cola through a straw. After consuming a staining food or drink, swish some water in your mouth or brush your teeth to help deter discoloration.

2. Stay hydrated

You already know that it’s important to drink plenty of water — around 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 for women daily. But did you know that water does more than just hydrate your body? It can also help flush away stains before they can take hold in your tooth enamel. 

3. Quit smoking

If you’re a smoker, quitting is the single most powerful weapon you have against tooth discoloration. Two of the main ingredients in cigarettes are tar and nicotine. The tar is dark and causes discoloration after consistent contact with your teeth over time. While colorless, nicotine reacts to oxygen to cause yellowish tooth stains.

4. Practice good oral hygiene

We often explain to our patients that good oral hygiene pays big dividends for your oral health and your appearance. Daily brushing and flossing, paired with regular preventive care like twice-annual checkups, can help remove surface stains and stop them from settling in. 

5. Schedule a professional whitening treatment 

Dr. Wilmore offers the best in class professional dental whitening treatments: Opalescence™ Boost™ and Zoom!®.

An in-office treatment takes about one hour, and you can leave our office with a beautiful white smile. The office-based treatments use powerful hydrogen peroxide gel for remarkable rapid whitening. 

We also offer the take-home kits that contain carbamide peroxide specially formulated for home use with whitening trays that fit over your teeth. They offer a more gradual whitening, or they can be a great way to maintain your bright smile long term after an in-office treatment. 

Want whiter teeth to start the new year with a bright smile? Call Heather M. Wilmore, DDS, at 713-266-4222 to book your appointment now.