When it comes to getting a beautiful, long lasting whitened smile, professional whitening is certainly worth the investment. Teeth whitening performed at your dentist office reaches deep below the surface enamel to truly whiten and brighten each tooth. But, now that you have this amazing smile, how can you keep it looking its best? Just a few, simple tips will keep your teeth white and discoloration away!
Stop Daily Stains
You’ve probably heard this before, but it bears repeating: avoid foods and drinks that will stain your teeth! This is one of the simplest steps to ensure you have the whitest, brightest teeth possible.
For at least two weeks (and preferably longer) after your professional whitening session, avoid coffee, red wine, and black tea. Also give blueberries, blackberries, and dark sodas a miss! Did you know that even tomato sauce and ketchup cause staining? A good rule of thumb is that if any food or drink would stain a white t-shirt, they’ll also stain your white teeth.
If you find it hard to give up your morning coffee or a glass of red wine at dinner, consider using a straw! It may look a little odd, but it will keep these potential staining agents away from your new smile.
Regular Rinsing
A good tip for daily oral wellness is to rinse your mouth out after you eat and drink. No matter what you are eating, foods and drinks want to stay stuck on or in between your teeth. These remnants can stay behind long after you’ve finished a meal and cause discoloration to your whitened teeth. Also, the sugars and acids from some foods nourish the bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to decay.
After every meal or drink, simply swish clean water in your mouth to rinse out any debris. Your smile will stay bright longer, and your oral health will improve. A simple rinse is a great, and easy, habit to learn!
Brighter Brushing
After your teeth professionally whitened, be sure you replace your toothbrush. A new toothbrush is also an important practice after you have your six-month cleaning and checkup at the dentist, too. As with anything that wears down from regular use, replacing worn or frayed toothbrushes improves the performance to ensure you are scrubbing away particles that will dull your teeth.
Consider investing in an electric toothbrush. An electric toothbrush is more effective in removing plaque, particles, and the many stain agent foods and drinks that may have tempted you! Powered toothbrushes move the bristles faster than you can do on your own, a great tool for getting into hard-to-reach places and in between teeth. Choose a whitening toothpaste and mouthwash rinse to boost protection of your beautiful, white teeth.
Crunchy Snacks
When you’re looking for a snack or side dish to enjoy, look for crunchy fruits and vegetables. Chewing on these crunchy treats will scrub your teeth surfaces and help to remove stains!
Eating apples, pears, celery, and carrots will not only help keep your teeth white; they are a low calorie, high nutrient snack for you! Increasing your intake of vegetables as a snack or with a meal is like brushing your teeth while you’re eating. The chewing actions not only helps to scrub the enamel, but it also removes other food particles, prevents plaque build up, and stimulates blood flow to the gums and mouth. A win all around!
Call us if you are interested in having your teeth professionally whitened! We create beautiful smiles every day and would love to do the same for you.
