If tooth discoloration is taking a hit on your confidence, you may find yourself shying away from pictures or smiling as a whole. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to remedy the issue both at home and with a dentist. Here is a guide to help maintain a bright smile.

Dos: 

Practice good oral hygiene. 

A vivid smile starts with proper oral hygiene. When you don't take care of your teeth, plaque and tartar can accumulate. Both can lead to tooth decay and discoloration, so be consistent with dental care. 

You should brush twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle and clean the teeth and tongue for at least two minutes. Floss once a day using either rolled floss, a floss picker, or a water flosser to dislodge food particles from the gumline.

Visit a dentist. 

Visiting the dentist keeps your teeth whiter in two ways. First, a cleaning will lower your risk of developing conditions that cause discoloration. Secondly, you'll have access to in-office whitening services. Brightening your smile at home can be tricky, as it may cause sensitivity and leave you with unsatisfactory results. It may also cause enamel or root damage if your teeth aren't healthy enough for the whitening process. 

However, you can avoid these issues by receiving professional teeth whitening services. At a dentist, you can customize the shade you want and have a more comfortable experience due to measures that minimize sensitivity, such as applying desensitizing toothpaste. In-office whitening agents are also more powerful than at-home kits and deliver immediate results. Apart from brightening your smile, a dentist can also recommend other ways to keep your teeth white after examining your teeth.

Don'ts: 

Consume tannin-heavy ingredients. 

Some foods and drinks can stain your teeth. Berries, coffee, wine, and chocolate are all high in tannins. These naturally occurring compounds stick to the teeth, allowing pigments to stain the enamel. Limit your intake of these ingredients to keep your teeth whiter. Incorporate foods that can help brighten smiles instead, such as cheese and strawberries. 

Smoke or use tobacco products. 

Not only is smoking and using tobacco products detrimental to your health overall but doing so will also leave you with some deep-set tooth stains. While cutting back is good, the best thing you can do is quit the habit. 

Consult a doctor for help quitting. They may prescribe special medication or products like nicotine patches to assist you in your efforts. 

Keep your smile bright with professional in-office treatments and teeth cleanings with the help of the experienced staff at Carter S. Yokoyama, DDS, in Kailua-Kona, HI. They want your experience to be positive, which is why they take measures to make their office as conducive to relaxation as possible. Call (808) 322-0101 to schedule an appointment today, or visit them online to view their smile makeover gallery.