By Lexi Reich
5 tips to keep your TEETH SHINING WHITE
Traditionally, seeking a brighter smile has often entailed forgoing coffee and red wine or opting for a costly whitening treatment. Dr. Cate Vieregger of Vibrance Dentistry in Greenwood Village has been practicing for more than 25 years, and she believes the key to whiter teeth isn’t as dramatic as one might think. In fact, she credits a holistic approach between oral health and total body wellness for creating vibrant smile transformations in her patients looking to restore years of wear. The first step? Regular dental care.
1. Routine Dental Check-Ups
“Visiting your hygienist at least twice a year allows us to monitor the health of the teeth and gums, which keeps your teeth clean and bright,” Dr. Vieregger explains. Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing at home may miss, plus they allow dentists to detect potential issues early on.
2. Brush Regularly with the Right Toothbrush
For daily care, brush and floss twice a day, as a minimum, to maintain healthy gums and enamel. “In between meals, if you do not have the opportunity to brush, use an alcohol-free mouth rinse to help remove food particles and bacteria and freshen the breath,” Dr. Vieregger says. She also advises investing in an electric toothbrush to vastly improve cleaning efficiency.
3. Maintain a Balanced Diet
A well-balanced diet not only benefits your overall health but also contributes to pearly whites. Include calcium-rich foods like yogurt, leafy greens and nuts. Also, drink plenty of water to rinse away food particles and bacteria to prevent cavities and promote saliva production, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy mouth.
4. Address Your Alignment
“Another way to improve the appearance and health of your smile is by straightening teeth that are overlapped and can create stains and food traps,” Dr. Vieregger says, adding that clear aligners like Invisalign are easy ways to quickly and economically straighten teeth.
5. Dentist-Approved Whitening
Even with a balanced lifestyle, sometimes teeth still need an extra boost. Dr. Vieregger says over-the-counter white strips can help with surface staining, but professional whitening trays at the dentist’s office result in long-lasting improvement in the color of teeth. “And for those that need a little more to enhance their smile, custom veneers and crowns can quickly rejuvenate a smile in just a couple of visits,” she says.