Pucker up! It's time for holiday parties, social gatherings and mistletoe around every corner. Does your smile feel up to the challenge? Here's how to make your teeth white and bright just in time for all your holiday photos and kisses.
How To Make Your Teeth White For The Holidays
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Medically Reviewed By Colgate Global Scientific Communications
- One year out: Consult with a dental professional and schedule a teeth cleaning a few months before the holiday season
- Ten months out: Consider straightening your smile with teeth aligners
- Six months out: Porcelain veneers, crowns, and cosmetic tooth contouring can help your smile look the way you want
- Four months out: You can begin to try whitening treatments, including at-home or professional methods
- Two months out: Introduce some nutritious foods into your diet for optimal gum health throughout the holidays and beyond
Brush With a Whitening Toothpaste
Over-the-counter whitening toothpaste can help to remove stains, whiten teeth and prevent stain buildup. Many of these products contain mild chemicals or polishing agents to lift surface stains and prevent them from reappearing. Brushing twice a day will also fight cavities and plaque biofilm, ensuring that your teeth stay healthy and pearly-white.
Avoid Coffee and Other Staining Foods
Coffee, tea, soda, fruit juice, and red wine all easily stain teeth. Avoid exposure to these drinks in your efforts to keep your teeth white, especially after a whitening treatment. That does not mean that you should give up your favorite drink, however. Drink these beverages through a straw, or rinse your mouth out after you drink to keep stains from settling onto the tooth surfaces.
Eat Plenty of Veggies and Fruit
Eating healthy vegetables and fruit can also keep your teeth white. Foods such as carrots, celery, and apples provide plenty of vitamin C, triggering extra saliva production. Saliva washes away debris from your teeth, keeping them clean and sparkling for holiday pictures.
Use an At-Home Whitening Kit
You can find a variety of at-home tooth-whitening products at the drugstore, such as whitening strips and trays, that may lighten stains. Most of these whitening kits contain mild peroxide to dissolve surface stains on teeth and make them appear visibly whiter. Be sure to contact a dental professional before use for recommendations based on your dental history.
Get Dental Professional Help
If your teeth still don't look their whitest, schedule an appointment with your dentist for in-office whitening. A professional whitening will brighten your teeth several shades in just one appointment, allowing you to see immediate results.
Keeping your teeth white will help make this holiday season sparkle. Get started today to see results before the ball drops on New Year's Day.
Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
