After years of being discouraged to smile because of your discolored and stained teeth, you’re ready for a change. Professional teeth whitening offers safe, reliable, and fast results, unlike store-bought kits that can contain ingredients that may irritate your oral tissues. Once you brighten your smile, it makes sense that you’ll want to make sure the results last. Read on for four tips to keep your teeth looking beautiful after your procedure.
Avoid Stain-Causing Foods and Drinks
Certain foods are notoriously rich in tannins, a compound that gives them their deep and vibrant color as well as stains teeth. They aggressively bind to plaque and create a yellow or brownish tint over your teeth that can cause you to become embarrassed about your smile. After you get professional teeth whitening, be sure to avoid the following foods and drinks to enjoy your brightened grin for longer:
- Coffee
- Black Tea
- Curry
- Tomato-Based Sauces
- Soy Sauce
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Dark Berries
- Red Wine
- Sports Drinks
- Brightly-Colored Popsicles
You can also ask your cosmetic dentist for a list of foods and drinks that they believe you should avoid. After all, the last thing you would want after investing in a whiter smile is for it to become discolored again.
Eat Foods That Are Good For Your Teeth
Certain foods are great for your oral health and can even break apart stains that have developed on your enamel. Fibrous and crunchy fruits and vegetables such as celery, carrots, and apples, are a great way to produce saliva to wash away discoloration. They also act as small, natural toothbrushes that remove plaque from the surface of your teeth so tannins can’t bind to them.
Other great foods for your oral health are white dairy products. Cheese helps you produce more saliva and contains vitamins and minerals that can strengthen your enamel.
Brush More Often
Plaque is a sticky, soft film that forms from the combination of food particles and saliva. It coats your teeth and can make them feel slippery or fuzzy when it isn’t regularly removed. It’s also the substance that tannins (a compound that causes tooth discoloration) aggressively binds to. When you brush before you consume stain-causing goods and after each meal, you can reduce the amount of plaque in your mouth and prevent stains from developing on your enamel. Try keeping a travel-sized brush and a tube of toothpaste with you throughout the day so you can brush more often on the go!
Quit Bad Oral Habits
Bad oral habits like nail-biting and smoking can lead to discolored teeth. Nail biting can wear-down your enamel and reveal the layer underneath, called the dentin. This portion of your tooth is yellow in color and can cause your smile to look stained. Smoking and tobacco contain tar that can also discolor your teeth. After several years of smoking regularly, your teeth can become an unappealing brown color. Not to mention, tobacco use comes with severe health risks.
To maintain your beautiful and improved smile after your treatment, be sure to follow your cosmetic dentist’s aftercare advice. With the right preventive measures in place, you won’t have to worry about how long professional teeth whitening lasts, because your teeth will be looking great for years. If you do notice some slight discoloration, you can always visit your dentist for a touch-up.
About the Author
Dr. Wendy Winarick strives to provide each patient with the highest quality of dental care. Her goal is to get her patients feeling proud of the appearance of their smiles, which is why she offers cosmetic treatments such as professional teeth whitening and porcelain veneers. She is also an active member of several professional organizations including the Central Texas Dental Society. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Dental Station Family Dentistry’s website or call 254-772-1827.