Tis the season for decking the halls and jingling all the way — preferably with a peppermint mocha latte in hand while holiday shopping and a rich, full-bodied cab for socializing. You know who you are, espresso and red wine lovers!
And while all the caffeinated and buzzed bevvies may bring tons of holiday cheer, their not-so-cheery effect on your winter-white smile can be quite the buzzkill. Not only do they stain your teeth, drinks like wine and coffee are highly acidic which can break down your enamel over time.
To keep your teeth merry and bright for every happy hour, holiday photo, and house party — while still indulging in your favorite sips and pours — cosmetic dentistry can be the best gift you can give yourself. But, there are other ways you can maintain those pearly whites. Here are some best practices.
1. Bring out the toothbrush and the floss – immediately!
Tooth enamel has microscopic indentations and ridges — a.k.a. infamous catchers of dark pigments from coffee, wine, and the like. This is what causes the staining and discoloration on the surface of your teeth.
Brushing with your favorite whitening toothpaste and flossing immediately after you finish your drink is one of the best ways to prevent those stains from settling in.
But, word to the wise who also can’t carry a toothbrush everywhere they go: You can find disposable teeth wipes that are a good compromise for social situations — and small handbags.
2. Drink some water.
We know it’s not always possible to pull out your toothbrush — especially at a party.
So, the next best thing is to rinse your mouth with water — or even just drink some water — to help move coffee or wine residue off your teeth.
(As a bonus, staying hydrated may help prevent that dreaded headache the next day!)
3. Nosh on!
Believe it or not, the more you graze while sipping your bevvies the better.
Consuming things like hard cheeses from that charcuterie board and high-fiber foods like carrots or a spinach salad will amp up saliva production, which will help protect teeth and whisk tannins away.
4. Find a straw.
Straws reduce the amount of exposure of coffee and wine on your teeth’s surface. It’s a small thing that can add up to a big difference.
And while drinking those designer coffee creations through a straw is probably business-as-usual for you, it might be an adjustment to add a straw to your regular cup of Joe. Same for that glass of red wine — we fully recognize that you might feel a little silly at your next social gathering sipping your merlot through a straw.
Maybe opt for that holiday sangria, straw included!
5. Bring in the cosmetic dentistry experts.
For anyone who has tried to DIY their way to a whiter, brighter smile, you’ve probably fallen short of your desired results — while sinking dollars and hours into testing the latest strips and gels.
Coffee and wine lovers, that’s where SMILE! Advanced Dental Center can come to your rescue. Our team provides safe and effective cosmetic dentistry treatments that produce the results you want — in just one visit at our Summerville, SC office.
Professional teeth whitening is a simple, effective cosmetic dental treatment that noticeably enhances your smile. Available as both an in-office treatment and a take-home system, our teeth whitening uses powerful yet safe methods to minimize the appearance of stains, discoloration, and yellowing on the tooth enamel.
Our dentists work with your unique smile to determine the right type of treatment and treatment length to achieve the aesthetic you desire.
To combat the effects of your favorite sips and get your smile party-ready, contact SMILE! Advanced Dental Center in Summerville, SC, at 843-873-1261 for a teeth whitening consultation. After all, winter-white is a color that’s always in season at SMILE! Advanced Dental Center.
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