We all want to feel great about our smiles, but sometimes that can feel challenging. According to Byte, 51% of people are self-conscious about their smile. Caring for your oral health can help to empower you in your life with confidence. You should smile without insecurity. If you're not happy with your smile, there are steps you can take to improve it. Let's look at a few ways you can brighten your smile.

Professional Whitening

Your local dentist can help you with professional whitening services. Professional whitening is a whitening process that's performed in the dentist's office. A formula is applied to your teeth and allowed to sit for a specific amount of time. This can make a dramatic improvement to the coloring of your teeth.

Whitening Toothpaste

There are also things you can do at home to help brighten your smile as well. Whitening toothpaste is a good option. With long-term use, this type of toothpaste can have a positive effect on the appearance of your smile. Whitening toothpaste uses mild abrasive ingredients to scrub the surface of your teeth. You should talk with your local dentist about which products are best for your needs.

Drink Less Coffee

Some lifestyle changes can also make a big difference in the appearance of your smile as well. Some substances such as coffee, can have a distinct darkening effect on your teeth over time. If you're committed to a whiter smile, you might want to consider cutting back on your coffee consumption. There are also caffeine-containing drinks that can give you the energy boost you need without staining your teeth, such as some herbal teas.

Stop Smoking

Smoking is bad for so many aspects of your health, but your teeth are also affected. Not only does smoking cause your teeth to appear darker, but it can also affect the health of your mouth and gums as well. Stopping smoking and all tobacco use will benefit your teeth and overall oral health tremendously.

Chew Whitening Sugar-Free Gum

You can keep whitening your teeth all day long when you chew sugar-free whitening gum. This is also a good way to help yourself kick the smoking habit. Many people find chewing gum a good way to distract them from smoking.

These are just a few ways that you can brighten your smile. If you're looking for a local dentist to help you with teeth whitening services, please contact our team at Athens Dental Services Inc today.