Whether you have recently achieved a dazzling white smile through whitening treatment or naturally possess pearly whites, it's crucial to remember that preserving that brilliance requires ongoing care. Just as you would avoid driving through mud puddles after washing a car, your approach to dental hygiene plays a vital role in maintaining the longevity of your white teeth. To extend the lifespan of your bright smile, consider following these valuable tips.
If you find yourself reaching for a morning cup of coffee or enjoying a refreshing glass of cola in the afternoon, you may have noticed the gradual loss of your teeth's bright appearance. Beverages such as coffee, tea, cola, and red wine are notorious for staining teeth. If you are committed to maintaining a white smile, it's advisable to reduce your consumption of these staining liquids.
Pro Tip: Sip Through a Straw. If parting ways with these beverages seems challenging, consider using a straw as a helpful strategy, especially in the days following a whitening treatment. By sipping through a straw, you can significantly decrease the contact between the liquid and your teeth. Investing in a set of reusable straws will enable you to have them readily available whenever and wherever you need them.
Eliminating stain-causing tobacco isn't just good for keeping your teeth white. There are many adverse oral risks associated with tobacco use, including gum disease, oral cancer, dulled tasting abilities, and slower healing after certain dental procedures. Removing tobacco use from your routine can lead to drastic improvements in the appearance of your teeth as well as for your overall dental health.
Teeth Whitening Strips are excellent solution to removing any surface stains that may have accumulated throughout the day. Some even use hydrogen peroxide to whiten from the inside out. It's a simple step, but it can provide your teeth with a twice-daily whitening refresher, which can give you many more reasons to smile.
Enjoy potentially staining beverages in moderation, and drink water between each. Water is good for your overall health and will also help wash away dark liquids from the surfaces of your teeth. Try alternating a sip of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate with a drink of water. As a bonus, your flavored beverage will last longer.
The longer the liquid sits on your teeth, the more intense the staining will be. Carry a toothbrush and toothpaste with you so that you can freshen up after your coffee break. However, it's essential that you wait at least 30 minutes to brush your teeth after drinking any acidic drink like coffee. If you brush too soon, you may end up spreading the acidity around your teeth instead of cleaning it off.
The best way to protect against stained teeth is a proper oral care routine. Since plaque attracts staining substances, reducing plaque, in general, will reduce overall discoloration. Twice-daily brushing will help to keep your mouth clean, healthy, and stain-free. Make sure you are flossing once a day as well, or you might end up with stains around the surfaces of your teeth even if you brush regularly.
Aside from regular daily care, what more can you do to keep your teeth white? Visit your dentist's office for regular checkups at least two times a year. Your dentist or dental hygienist can polish away surface stains when he or she cleans your teeth. Professional cleaning's abrasive action is a useful tool for fighting discoloration without having to bleach your teeth again.
With excellent habits and professional cleanings, you can maintain your bright smile. Still, stains can return over time, even without habits like coffee, drinking, and smoking. Be sure to talk to your dentist before whitening and only use bleaching products that have the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance or were given to you by your dentist.
