If your eyes are a window to your soul, then perhaps your smile is an extension of that. It tells us a lot about how you truly feel about yourself and the world around you. Why, then, would you ever settle for a smile that didn’t genuinely reflect how you feel on the inside? Why would you settle for a smile that didn’t shine as brightly as your personality does?

The truth is, you don’t have to. At Rod Gleave, D.M.D. in Salt Lake City, we offer a variety of ways you can enhance, or even restore, your smile so that it looks just as good as you feel. One of the simplest solutions we offer to brighten a dull smile is our array of professional teeth whitening treatments.

But we also want you to know that an attractive smile is a team effort! YOU are an important part of preserving your beautiful, healthy smile. That’s why today’s blog talks about some of the things that stain your teeth and how you can combat their darkening effects.

Be Careful With These Teeth Stainers

Darker Fruits And Vegetables
Fruit and vegetables are so good for you, so we would never advise that you cut them out of your diet! In fact, they are one of the best things you can do for not only your overall health and waistline, but for your teeth. Snacking on crunchy fruits and veggies encourages saliva production, which is your body’s natural way to wash away sugars and food particles that put your teeth at risk for cavities and decay.
But some of those healthy foods do contain a bit more stain power if you’re not careful. Foods like blackberries, blueberries, beets, and tomatoes all contain dark pigments and acids that can weaken your enamel. When your enamel is weak, it allows the dark pigments to stick to your teeth more easily, so you risk discoloring them over time.
You can help protect the natural whiteness of your teeth by making sure to drink water while snacking on these nutrient rich, but teeth staining, healthy foods!

Coffee
This is a tough one, folks. We know just how important your morning cup of joe is to you. It’s a welcomed jolt of caffeine that helps you get ready to face the world. Giving it up is just not an option for most coffee lovers.
But as long as you’re aware of how its acidity, dark color, and sugar content from your creamer and other special additions impact your teeth, you can decide for yourself just how much or how little you’re willing to moderate your consumption. It helps to rinse your mouth with water after you drink it, avoid sipping on it throughout the day, and to brush your teeth twice daily to reduce its impact on the color of your teeth.

Red Wine
One glass of red wine each day can actually be good for your heart, according to recent studies. But one of the downsides of drinking too much red wine is its ability to discolor your pearly whites. Similar to coffee, the sugar and acidity can weaken your enamel and make the pigment stick more easily to your teeth. Along with that, you also should consider the effect that dry mouth can have on your oral health, since too much alcohol can dehydrate you.
Just remember to drink plenty of water throughout an evening of drinking to keep you hydrated and to wash away the ingredients in red wine that threaten the strength of your enamel. You can also help lessen the staining effects of this adult beverage by brushing your teeth before you start drinking rather than right after. Look for an ADA toothpaste that specifically protects your enamel.

Smoking
Okay, we’re not here to lecture you about stuff you already know. If you smoke, you’re probably already well aware of the risks it poses to your health. Oral cancer, lung cancer, respiratory and pulmonary-related illnesses and diseases, premature wrinkles are only a few of the negative consequences of smoking.

Not only does smoking turn your white teeth into more of a brownish yellow, the habit itself will render any professional teeth whitening treatment a waste of time and money because you’ll just have to keep doing it. Many people make the transition to vaping as a safer alternative. If you would like to make the switch to vaping, but are not sure where to begin, you might want to consider doing some research into Vape Starter Kits. Vaping involves using an e-cigarette to inhale vapours produced by e-liquids. You can choose from a variety of e-liquids to improve your experience so consider getting a flavorful e liquid.

To preserve your bright, white smile, as well as your total health, the best thing you could possibly do for yourself is to quit smoking altogether. It’s probably not realistic to believe you’ll just quit right this moment and forever never struggle to avoid another cigarette. You may need a reason for it, be it a new job that will require Countrywide Testing to check if you smoke before you get the position or other motivation to help you out. We totally encourage you to be realistic about your break-up with smoking. Even if you swap in your old addiction for a new one, such as buying a CBD oil vape. Sure, its another drug – but one with far fewer health effects and one that won’t permanently stain your teeth. Just search in Google “cbd vape juice near me” to find a store!

Your Teeth Whitening Options In Salt Lake City!

Now that you know a bit more about what can stain your teeth, you can make more informed decisions about what you put on that grocery list and about your consumption. You can also explore our professional teeth whitening options with Dr. Gleave and our team in Salt Lake City! We offer a variety of treatments you can fit into your lifestyle, schedule, and budget, from in-house one time procedures, to professional strength, convenient take home options. All it takes is a phone call to see which one will work for you!

Call our office at (801) 923-6406 or fill out our online form to request an appointment today.