The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Snoring sounds funny and can be frustrating for anyone who has to sleep in the same room as someone who snores, but it can also be a signal of a life-threatening condition. Sleep apnea is dangerous but can be treated.
How to Maximize Your Teeth Whitening Results
When you feel great about how your teeth look, you smile more often, and when you smile more often you change how the world sees you. A smile is friendly, welcoming, and sends positive messages about you. Even though you’re exactly the same person when you’re not smiling, people perceive you differently.
When you have your teeth professionally whitened, you’re investing in your appearance. Dr. Shawn Saidian offers teeth whitening at Century City Smiles & Orthodontics. The procedure is safe and effective, but you may need to make a few changes to your routine to maximize your results.
1. Quit using tobacco
If you smoke or use smokeless tobacco, you probably know that there are plenty of reasons to quit, and keeping your pearly whites looking great is another one. Tobacco stains your teeth, and professional whitening results won’t last long if you continue to use it.
2. Consider your beverages
A few teeth-staining beverages include:
- Coffee
- Red wine
- Dark colored soda
- Tea
Giving up your daily cup of coffee may be asking too much, but if you love the way your teeth look after getting them whitened in our office, consider how often you enjoy these stain-causing beverages.
Using a straw may help prevent your favorite drinks from discoloring your teeth. Brushing may also help, but it’s generally a good idea to wait about 30 minutes after consuming them to brush.
3. Know about deeply pigmented foods
Some foods can also stain your teeth. Here are a few:
- Marinara sauce
- Blueberries and blackberries
- Soy sauce
- Some candies
Just as with stain-causing beverages, we suggest you avoid these foods forever, but being aware that they may cause stains can help you decide about consuming them.
Again, brushing can help, but it’s advisable to wait about 30 minutes. When you eat, the acids in your saliva begin the process of digestion. If you brush too soon, those acids can set the stains on your teeth rather than brushing them away—but simply waiting a little while before brushing keeps that from happening.
4. Drink more water
Although brushing immediately after eating or drinking a potentially stain-causing substance is bad, swishing water in your mouth can help rinse your teeth. Similarly, drinking water throughout the day can help wash away bacteria and food debris and keep your teeth cleaner and healthier.
5. Get regular cleanings
Getting your teeth professionally cleaned regularly is important for your oral health and helps keep your teeth looking fantastic, too. We can clean away stains and help you maximize your whitening results.
If you’d like personalized advice about how to keep your pearly whites looking their best, or if it’s time for your regular cleaning, schedule your appointment at Century City Smiles and Orthodontics today.
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