Tips to Avoid Teeth Staining

While you always have the option to visit your dentist in Rockville, MD, for teeth whitening procedures, the best way to keep your teeth a glowing white is to avoid staining them in the first place. How can you do this? At Montgomery Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, we have several strategies we recommend to our patients to help them avoid staining their teeth, including these:

1. Be Careful What You Consume

First, be careful about what you eat or drink. Certain foods are more prone to staining teeth than others. Some things to avoid if you want to keep your teeth pearly white include:

  • Dark or red beverages, like coffee or wine
  • Soda and sugary drinks
  • Red and purple berries or vegetables
  • Curry
  • Colorful candles
  • Tomato-based meals

Now this doesn’t mean you should never eat these foods. However, they should be eaten in moderation, and when you do eat them, brush right away.

2. Get Professional Cleanings

Twice a year, visit Montgomery Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, your dentist in Rockville, MD, for professional cleanings. Even with the best at-home routine, you won’t be able to clean your teeth as thoroughly as our hygienists can. This appointment also gives us a chance to check in with you about your home health and cleaning routines to make adjustments if needed.

3. Keep Up With Home Hygiene

While professional cleanings are essential, so is your at-home routine. Make sure you’re brushing regularly, multiple times per day. You can also use mouthwash to help alleviate stains. Consider a tooth whitening toothpaste to help as well.

If all else fails and you still have stains, talk to Montgomery Family & Cosmetic Dentistry about teeth whitening procedures. However, with the right care at home and regular checkups with cleanings, you should be able to prevent stains easily.

Root Canals

Will My Gums Bleed During a Teeth Cleaning?

It can be uncomfortable for people to see a dentist for literally any reason. Even if their teeth and gums feel and look great, simply being incapacitated in a chair can be enough to cause people to avoid scheduling an appointment. If you’re concerned about the discomfort of gum bleeding, we’ll look at why this might happen and what you can do to help prevent it.

Will My Gums Bleed During a Teeth Cleaning?

Gums will not always bleed during a teeth cleaning in Rockville, MD. They may be if there’s a buildup of bacteria around them, though. Known as gingivitis, it’s the first stage of gum disease, and it causes them to be more sensitive (and, thus, more likely to bleed). Depending on your reaction and the assessment of the dentist, you may be asked to get a more intensive cleaning, such as root planing, which will go deeper into the gums to root out everything from food debris to bacteria.

How Often Should I Schedule a Cleaning?

Usually, you’ll need a professional cleaning twice a year. However, some patients will need to go three times a year, depending on their oral health history. Keeping up with this schedule is important if you want to avoid bigger dental problems down the line, especially if you’re prone to gum disease or tooth loss.

Find a Dentist in Rockville, MD

If you’re looking for a dentist in Rockville, MD, it’s important to find one who can work with you. By meeting you where you are, whether you’ve been diligent or lax in your dental habits, there’s a better chance that you’ll either develop or maintain the right routines. Contact Montgomery Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule a cleaning today and get back to a squeaky-clean smile!