6 Tips to Make Your Smile Pop this Summer

We all want that dazzling, bright smile. Especially in the summertime — when we’re used to having more eyes on us — you really want your smile to pop and stand out. Sure, there are little tricks, like wearing a darker shade of lipstick to provide more contrast. But, what you likely want are more lasting changes.

Fortunately, you’re not stuck with the smile you were born with. You can do a lot of things to make your smile pop this summer. In this blog, Dana Samet, DDS, of Dental Art of South Bay in Torrance, California, explains more about how you can get a whiter smile that dazzles and shines.

1. Keep up with good dental habits

The dentist always talks about the importance of maintaining good dental hygiene. While it’s true that good hygiene will keep your teeth and gums healthy, these habits will also keep your teeth looking their whitest. Regardless of what else you may do to pursue a brighter and more beautiful smile, brushing and flossing twice a day should be considered essential.

Furthermore, if you haven’t had your teeth cleaned in a while, you should make an appointment with Dental Art of South Bay. Getting your teeth professionally cleaned will help keep plaque at bay, your gums healthy, and your teeth looking great. And after you’ve had your teeth cleaned, you should schedule a cleaning every six months.

2. Avoid certain foods and drinks

Certain foods and drinks are notorious for staining teeth. Many of these are favorites for many of us, such as coffee, tea, and red wine. However, even healthy foods can stain your teeth, such as citrus fruit and dark berries.

In addition to wreaking havoc on your smile, many of these foods can also damage your teeth’s enamel. Damaging your dental enamel can make your teeth look duller over time.

3. Eat the right foods

Just as certain foods can stain your teeth, other foods can help whiten and keep your teeth white. Apples, pears, carrots, and celery all trigger your mouth to produce more saliva, which is actually a very good thing. Extra saliva can help clean away the acids on your teeth that can cause cavities and dullness. Sugarless gum can do the same thing. So if you chew gum, switch to a sugar-free variety.

4. Use a whitening toothpaste

A whitening toothpaste can help you gently brush away stains. The results will be subtle, especially compared to professional tooth whitening. However, you may notice a gradual difference over time.

5. Consider professional teeth whitening

Getting your teeth whitened at the dentist can be much more effective than whitening your teeth with store-bought kits. For one thing, the concentration of the active ingredient is much stronger when getting your teeth whitened by a dentist. For another, we use a heat laser to make the bleaching chemicals work even better.

6. Consider getting veneers

If you’re still not seeing the results you want from professional teeth whitening, it might be time to consider getting dental veneers. You can get the white smile of your dreams by choosing veneers, which are thin porcelain shells that Dr. Samet bonds to your teeth. 

One benefit of veneers is that you can dramatically change the shade of your teeth in one easy step. However, it’s important that you still brush and floss your teeth regularly and avoid foods and drinks that can stain your teeth.

If you would like to achieve a smile that really pops this summer, Dr. Samet can help. To learn more, book an appointment over the phone with Dental Art of South Bay today.