Medhat Dawoud DDS, expert cosmetic dentist in West Orange, NJ, tells his patients how to get and keep a bright smile and healthy gums. A sensible diet, including fruits, vegetables, calcium-rich foods and whole grains serves to keep dental intervention to a minimum for patients of all ages.
Over time, teeth become dull and stained because of darkly colored foods and beverages such as coffee, black tea, curry, red wine and soy sauce. Aging, smoking, chewing tobacco and some prescription medications can adversely affect tooth color, too.
Some foods help keep teeth whiter longer
Dr. Medhat Dawoud and his associate dentists, Doctors Gencarelli and Ghobadi, recommend limiting staining dietary choices and also rinsing and brushing after consuming them. In addition, there are several foods which actually help tooth enamel stay bright and white. And yes, they are good-tasting and nutritious, too.
Water Physicians and dieticians say drink at least 64 ounces of water daily–in other words, eight 8-ounces glasses. This fluid hydrates and ensures good gastrointestinal function. Regarding teeth and gums, water rinses food particles and plaque off tooth surfaces and from the gum line. It hydrates the soft tissues of the mouth and keeps the production of saliva, nature’s weapon in the fight against tooth decay, high.
Cheese This dairy favorite is light in color and contains bone- and enamel-building calcium. Buy real cheese, and avoid highly processed, orange-colored cheese products.
Apples, celery and other harder fruits and vegetables increase saliva, exercise the gums and jaw bone and also scrub tooth enamel. Apples and pears contain what botanists call schlereid cells, grainy little cells that give texture to these fruits. Nutritionists say that strawberries, even though red in color, are nature’s tooth detergent. Pineapple contains a chemical called biomelain, a natural anti-inflammatory and whitening agent.
Nuts and seeds are abrasive but not too tough on tooth enamel, keeping it clean. Their texture provides excellent exercise, too. Great choices are sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans and walnuts.
Professional whitening can further enhance your smile
Even with the best of oral hygiene, some smiles need a little aesthetic help. That’s why your dentists in West Orange, NJ deliver a full menu of cosmetic dental services, including professional–grade teeth whitening. Doctors Dawoud, Gencarelli and Ghobadi offer both in-office and at home Zoom! teeth whitening.
Using a professional grade peroxide gel and special accelerating light, in-office Zoom! whitening is painless, safe and very effective–brightening healthy teeth by as much as 8 shades in just about an hour. Patients who prefer whitening in the privacy of their own homes take advantage of custom-made whitening trays and bleaching solutions that change tooth color by lifting out stains more gradually but effectively. The Whitening for LIfe program at DG Dental provides member patients with free refills of whitening gel at their 6-month cleaning appointments.
Learn more about your lifestyle and white teeth
At DG Dental, the professional team takes your dental health, and aesthetics, too, very seriously. The doctors, assistants and hyginests will partner with you in choosing the best avenues to a bright and long-lasting smile. Why not contact the office today for a consultation?
Although the number one priority of a dental practice is the health of patients’ smiles, at 
Many people take their smiles very seriously, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure it looks perfect at all times. Because many people consider a smile a first impression, people want to ensure that their smiles make a lasting, positive first impression no matter where they are. Unfortunately, if your smile is less than perfect, it can cause someone to feel insecure about the way they look, and can also affect the way they interact with the people around them. Our smiles collect stains over the years, and it can really affect the overall look as time goes on. Fortunately,