Don’t miss your chance to brighten your smile—Dr. Michael Apa shares his top dental care tips to help you achieve a fresh-from-a-private-jet smile without leaving your home.
Known as the real-life “Tooth Fairy,” Apa counts A-list celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Jenner, and Kendall Jenner among his clients. He operates four state-of-the-art Apa Cosmetic Clinics in New York, Los Angeles, Dubai, and Miami.
Since 2004, this celebrity dentist, specializing in minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry, has been acclaimed for creating naturally brilliant smiles. While his orthodontic treatments start at $50,000, he offers cost-saving tips for patients who can’t schedule an appointment.
Choosing the Right Whitening Kit
“Whitening kits are a quick and easy way to enhance your smile,” says Apa. While professional whitening products are generally more effective, you can still whiten your teeth at home.
Make sure the product contains hydrogen peroxide; if you have sensitive teeth, you can use carbamide peroxide. Professionals recommend applying whitening products to freshly brushed teeth, ideally after a professional cleaning one to two months prior. Apa recommends Crest 3D Professional Whitening Strips.
Pay Attention to Diet After Whitening
The first 48 hours after whitening are crucial. “Avoid foods and beverages that can stain a white T-shirt,” Apa advises, such as red wine, coffee, chocolate, and berries.
Low-acid, light-colored fruits like bananas and pears, as well as nutrient-rich foods like egg whites, potatoes, and yogurt, are safe.
“An apple a day keeps the dentist away,” Apa adds, noting that crunchy, textured foods help remove buildup between brushing and flossing.
Choose Trendy Products Carefully
“Natural doesn’t always mean better,” warns Apa. Many products are hyped, but not all are good for your teeth. For example, activated charcoal is popular in the health and beauty world, but it’s abrasive.
It can erode tooth enamel while removing stains. Common foods with high acidity are also harmful—they can erode teeth. “I strongly recommend avoiding any whitening products that only remove stains, as they damage the tooth surface.”
Choosing the Right Toothpaste
Even if the latest purple toothpaste on Instagram looks tempting, stick with toothpastes formulated with fluoride or hydroxyapatite, which help remineralize teeth after exposure to acidic or abrasive substances.
Calcium hydroxide is important for sensitive teeth. Avoid highly abrasive toothpastes; look for one with a low relative dentin abrasiveness (RDA). Apa recommends trying Apa White toothpaste.
Preventing Stress-Related Injuries
Stress, while seemingly minor, can lead to grinding and clenching, which can contribute to gum inflammation, tooth loss, and other problems.
Apa notes that hard nighttime mouthguards are generally better than soft ones because they last longer and provide better protection.
Follow these expert tips, and you can have a healthy, bright smile without hopping on a private jet.
