Many people in Harrisburg want a bright smile, but with so many dental products and services available, it can be hard to know what really works. You might have already heard from your dentist that flossing is important for your teeth. But can flossing help keep your teeth white? These are some common questions that dentists receive.
As winters in Central Pennsylvania get longer, coffee consumption rises. Locals who enjoy the coffee shops along Second Street and downtown Harrisburg are often concerned about staining their teeth. Flossing does remove plaque and food particles between your teeth, but you cannot rely solely on flossing to get whiter teeth.
Other factors, such as acidic foods or hard water in Pennsylvania, can also cause discoloration. If you are worried about stained teeth or want whitening advice, talk to a Harrisburg, PA dentist today. Dentists can check your current dental care routine and recommend the best ways to keep your teeth white and healthy.
How plaque causes tooth discoloration
Plaque, formed by bacteria in your mouth, can cause discoloration. It is a sticky film made of food and bacteria. It sticks to your teeth unless you clean it. Therefore, when you floss, you clean this plaque and food stuck between your teeth that can potentially stain your teeth.
When plaque is not removed regularly through brushing and flossing daily, it turns into a hard substance known as tartar. When plaque reaches this stage, you can no longer clean it at home. You will have to visit a dentist and undergo a teeth cleaning or deep scaling session.
Over time, plaque and calculus buildup can make your teeth look yellow or stained. When food and plaque are stuck in between your teeth, stains can stick more easily. With time, this can make your teeth look discolored. Therefore, by flossing daily, you can prevent stains from forming and keep your smile bright.
Do you need to floss if you get your teeth whitened professionally?
If you are thinking that you will get professional teeth whitening for your stains and all your problems and responsibilities will end there, you might be wrong. After teeth whitening, flossing becomes even more important. This is because such procedures use special products to break down the stains on your teeth. But these treatments work better when your teeth are clean.
Dentists often suggest brushing and flossing your teeth before you go for a whitening treatment. This allows for the surface stains to be cleaned and helps the whitening products reach deeper into your teeth.
How your daily habits can impact your tooth color
Your daily lifestyle habits can also affect the color of your teeth. For instance, if you like to drink coffee, tea, and red wine, you will probably get more stains than others. Besides that, if you are a smoker or use tobacco in any other form, you can get stains.
Flossing every day can help you reduce the impact of these habits. It can clean your mouth more thoroughly, not allowing plaque to grow. When you do not floss, plaque and food can build up and make your teeth more likely to stain from these things.
The science behind tooth color
The color of your teeth depends on the thickness and clarity of your enamel. Thicker enamel looks whiter. When plaque and tartar build up because of poor flossing, your teeth can look yellow or discolored. Flossing every day helps remove plaque and tartar, keeping your teeth clean and protecting their natural whiteness.
Brighten your smile with daily flossing!
Are you wondering if flossing can help keep your teeth white? Yes! In fact, it is a key step. When you pair good dental habits with regular dental visits and check-ups, you can achieve a bright smile. Contact a Harrisburg dentist today!
