How To Keep Your Teeth Pearly White

Ever wonder what is a great way to get rid of stains in the mouth? Here is a little secret! It’s your dental cleaning! That is right, there are a lot of products out there that can help reduce or remove stain, but your dentist has the best tools that only gum specialists have access to.

Often times, stains can be removed with physical manipulation with dental instruments such as scalers. However deep stains require more advanced cleaning techniques which include our advanced pumice and prophy jet system. By using our advanced techniques we can help bring those teeth back to their former glory!

Here, our Englewood, NJ dental team discusses the importance of regular dental office cleanings. We offer periodontal and gum care services to help prevent and manage this condition.

What Can I Do At Home To Prevent Stains?

There are simple techniques to get rid of or prevent stains. Some involve using hydrogen peroxide or baking soda on your tooth brush. Be careful as these can create sensitivity in your teeth. If you do begin to feel sensitivity, you can reduce the frequency you use these ingredients or even stop them all together.

Love wine? Coffee-holic? Here is a great trick! After you are finished with your last sip of your favorite stain producing beverage, take a sip of water. Swish the water around your mouth for 30 seconds, then swallow. You can spit it out as well – just make sure you are alone :). If you spit it out you will see just how dark that water is and what it would have done to your teeth!

Recent Vs Long-Term Staining?

The stains that come out easily are the ones which have been there the shortest amount of time! Those stains that have been around for a long time penetrate the enamel and dentin of teeth and are nearly impossible to remove. Ok, not nearly impossible. There are ways to remove those deep stains, but it is a lot easier and more budget-friendly to prevent them from being there in the long term. As you can see in the image, the molar has dark brown staining on all surfaces. The stain where the gums and the teeth meet have been there for years (green circle). The stain on the side of the edge / side of the tooth has been there for only a short while (red circle). After a professional cleaning the tartar and food debris has been removed. The area with the long-term stain however has a ‘yellowed‘ tooth underneath due to stain penetration. The edge / side of the tooth (in red) no longer has a deep dark stain.

Best Way To Avoid Stains From Doing Permanent Damage?

Being diligent with a tooth brush, interdental brush, floss, and mouth rinse is going to help remove debris, but it will never get everything out. Those tricky angles and curves on the back side of your teeth make it nearly impossible to remove all of the food and debris. The best way to prevent stains from doing permanent damage? Get your teeth cleaned regularly.

First, it is important to attend every routine dental visit during the course of your treatment. By doing so, your dentist can assess your progress and your hygienist can remove harmful disease-causing plaque and bacteria.In addition to regular dental visits, it is also important to keep your teeth and gums healthy at home. Patients should brush at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive fluoride paste.

If you have a genetic predisposition to gum disease, we may recommend more frequent cleanings. This can help keep oral bacteria at a healthy level. For example, if you normally have cleanings every six months, we may recommend scheduling your visits every three to four months instead.

As gum specialists, our hygienists and doctors are trained in getting to those nooks and crannies. We clean those pearly whites and bring them to their former glory. We also check for cavities, strengthen the teeth with fluoride protection, and of course screen for oral cancer!

Periodontal Care At Our Practice

As gum specialists, we offer a wide range of periodontal treatments at our practice. From routine cleanings to gum surgery to gingival grafts, we help our patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health.

Even if it has been a while since your last cleaning, it is never too late to get back into the game!

Contact Periodontal Associates Today

No matter what your oral health needs, we can help you achieve the smile you desire. If you are currently wearing braces and you are experiencing red, swollen, or tender gums, contact us to set up a consultation. You can reach us online or by calling (201) 567-7766.