Looking for a bright, white smile? There are many steps you can take at home and in the dentist office to improve your oral health and whiten your teeth. With that said, it should be noted that some whitening kinds of toothpaste and other products can actually be bad for your teeth, damaging the enamel and causing other issues. Let’s take a look at how you can brighten up your smile safely.

1. Practice Good Daily Oral Health Habits

First, if you want to enjoy a white smile over the long run, you’ll need to practice good oral health care day in and day out. For starters, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), you should brush your teeth twice a day, two minutes each time, with fluoride toothpaste. You should also regularly floss and use mouthwash. Scheduling a cleaning at a dentist office regularly is crucial.

2. Work With Your Dentist to Whiten Teeth

If you head to the toothpaste aisle in your favorite store, you’ll almost certainly come across whitening toothpaste. The problem is that many of these toothpastes actually contain abrasives that can wear down your teeth and cause damage. Some kinds of toothpaste might be safe to use if used correctly, but you should speak with a dentist first.

Dentists can use a variety of other products and technologies to whiten your teeth. Options vary, so it's a great idea to speak with a dentist to see what kinds of in-office or take-home whitening solutions they provide. If you need to brighten your smile quickly, say before a wedding or photo shoot, a dentist can often produce quick and beautiful results.

3. Change Your Dietary Habits

Wine, coffee, smoking, and other things can stain your teeth rather quickly. If you want the whitest smile, you may have to change your diet and personal habits. Some other steps, like rinsing out your mouth with mouthwash or water after drinking a cup of coffee, might also help. A dentist can work with you to identify habits that might stain your teeth. From there, you can come up with a mitigation plan.

If you’re looking for a dentist with plenty of experience with teeth whitening, get in touch with Zegeer Dental. The experts at our dentist office are ready to help make your smile shine. The sooner you get started, the quicker you can enjoy your brightest smile.