Want to impress your boss at your office holiday party? Start with your smile. If you’d like a smile as bright as holiday lights, consider whitening your teeth.
Daily brushing and flossing and regular trips to your dental office for cleanings are a good start. But if you’d like a little something extra, there are a variety of products available to add a special brightness to your smile.
Ask your dentist what’s best for you. If you have yellowish teeth, you’re a good candidate for whitening treatments. Brownish teeth are less likely to respond to bleaching. Grayish teeth are the most difficult to whiten. According to the American Dental Association, you have some options:
• In-office Bleaching: Go to your dentist’s office for a one-time treatment. Your dentist will apply a protective gel to your gums, followed by bleach and a special light to enhance the whitening process.
• At-home Bleaching: You put whitening gel in a mouth guard. If you have gum problems, talk to your dentist before whitening at home. Bleach can irritate sensitive gums.
• Whitening Toothpaste: Mild abrasives in the toothpaste scrub away surface stains on your teeth. Toothpastes only remove stains — they don’t change the color of your teeth.
If you have broken, chipped or cracked teeth, bonding can help improve how they look. Bonding usually takes one visit to the dentist, who uses special tooth-colored materials to repair the teeth. Dentists can also fix crooked or damaged teeth with veneers, custom shells that cover the teeth to change their color and shape. If you’re considering any of these procedures, consult your dentist first. And make sure to check the costs. These predominantly cosmetic procedures can be pricey and are usually not covered by dental insurance.
And don’t forget to bring floss to your holiday party! It’s the best weapon to attack a smile full of spinach dip!