For Whiter Teeth Don’t Skip Flossing

Dental floss that claims to also whiten your teeth has become much more popular in light of the enormous popularity of teeth whitening products. The marketing teams behind some of the nation’s most popular oral health products have not overlooked the fact that everyone wants a fresher, whiter smile. In fact, along with your options for whitening dental floss, you may also find toothpastes and mouthwashes that claim to whiten as well.

Though it may all sound a little gimmicky, any St. Charles MO dentist would agree that flossing and other oral hygiene rituals can help to make your teeth whiter, but not for the reason that you may think.

Dental floss that claims to whiten doesn’t literally bleach your teeth; however it will keep your smile looking cleaner by removing the plaque and food particles that can attract unsightly stains.

Some floss manufacturers have found that coating their products with microscopic abrasive silica particles will remove more buildup between the teeth as well as lightly smooth the enamel. Calcium peroxide has been shown to dissolve some of the saliva proteins that would otherwise be deposited on the teeth to cause staining.

Even without specially formulated ingredients, flossing can brighten your smile simply by keeping it cleaner. Healthy gums and clean, smooth teeth are more resistant to stains and generally more attractive. When you think of it from that perspective, you will appreciate the ways in which flossing can reduce the amount of stain that can accumulate on your teeth.

Patients who are seeking dramatically whiter smiles should choose a professional whitening product rather than an over-the-counter alternative. However, those patients who would appreciate a simple option for maintaining a clean, healthy, and bright smile can achieve reasonable results with whitening floss, mouthwash, and/or a whitening toothpaste.

For a whiter smile, don’t skip flossing and don’t forget to schedule a regular checkup with your dentist in St. Charles MO today.