April 08, 2004

By: Martha Walter
Website: http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com

Healthy Teeth – Your At-Home Plan for Healthy Teeth

That double latte that you grab on your way to work might be the eye-opener that you need to launch your day. But when it comes to your teeth, a latte a day keeps the brightness away.

Everyone wants a bright smile and healthy teeth, but many of the things we do (and don’t do) each day conspire against a dazzling grin. According to Grace Sun, DDS, one of Southern California’s leading cosmetic dentists, the right home care routine can insure whiter teeth and optimum dental health.

Here are some of Dr. Sun’s tips for prevention and maintenance:

1. Avoid coffee, tea and red wine, all of which can discolor teeth.

2. If you drink coffee, tea or red wine, try to brush your teeth within five minutes of consumption. Just as these beverages will stain a cup or glass if not rinsed immediately, they will also rapidly discolor your teeth.

3. If you have received professional bleaching treatments, consider using whitening strips or whitening toothpaste at home to prolong the effects.

4. Brush with a sonically-powered tooth cleaner each day for two minutes. Use it along the gums and between the teeth to break down plaque and remove debris from periodontal pockets.

5. Continue cleaning teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush. In addition to teeth, brush the gums and tongue (or use a tongue scraper.) Brush gums in a circular motion to stimulate circulation and strengthen the periodontal tissue. All of these procedures will decrease bacteria and freshen breath.

6. Floss at least once a day between all teeth. Stroke the floss in a back-and-forth motion in order to reach debris in the gums. If flossing is not comfortable, consider investing in an oral irrigator which uses a thin jet of water to remove build-up.

7. Rinse daily with an antiseptic preparation, mixed with three percent hydrogen peroxide. This will reduce bacteria and freshen breath.

8. Rinse daily with a fluoride treatment supplement.

9. Vitamin B complex and Vitamin C will augment oral health. The recommended daily doses are:

--1000 mg Vitamin C

--One high strength Vitamin B complex, including 100 mg of Vitamin B1 and 100 mg of Vitamin B2.

Known as the artistic dentist, Dr. Sun believes good dental health begins with a clean canvas. She firmly believes that in order to maintain oral health and to maximize the results of cosmetic dental treatments, it’s up to patients to take control of their home care and commit to a healthy daily regimen.

Dr. Sun is a Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and a member of the Academy of Laser Dentistry and the American Association for Functional Orthodontics. She has presented work and lectured at the last four American Academy of Laser Dentistry Conferences as well as at the 1998 International Society of Laser in Dentistry Conference. She has also authored a chapter on Lasers and Light Amplification in Dentistry for the book The Dental Clinics of North America that was published in October 2000. Recently, Dr. Sun, dentist to the stars was featured on the E! Entertainment Network Show Hollywood on E where she explained that even a few hundred dollars can achieve a million dollar smile. She also appears frequently to discuss health-related topics for NBC News and on local and international networks for Japanese audiences.

Author Notes:

Martha Walter contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com.  Everything you need to know to get a whiter, brighter smile!