A bright smile can make all the difference in your photos, especially during the holidays. Therefore, you may want to consider getting a professional whitening treatment. With a professional whitening, you can get better, faster results compared to at-home treatments. In fact, your dentist can dramatically whiten your smile in just one session. If you have recently taken the step to whiten your smile, you probably want to keep it that way. Here are some tips to keep your smile as white as possible.
Consistent Good Oral Health
A common reason for stained teeth is poor oral health. When you allow plaque to build, it can cause your teeth to turn yellow. Additionally, plaque can destroy your enamel, leaving lasting damage. Plaque is a type of harmful bacteria that erodes your enamel and inflames your gums. As a result, you can develop tooth decay and gum disease. However, if you maintain a good oral health routine, you can keep your teeth clean and healthy.
It is essential to brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. This will help you remove as much plaque as possible. If you consistently brush and floss your teeth, you can keep your teeth whiter for longer.
Avoid Staining Foods and Beverages
One of the main culprits behind stained teeth is your diet. Many of the foods and beverages we consume can leave behind stains, damaging our white smiles. For example, coffee is an incredibly popular drink for much of the population. Coffee is how many of us start our day. However, the acid and dark color of coffee can discolor our teeth. In addition, the acid can damage our enamel, making them more sensitive over time.
Another example of common choices that stain our teeth is tomato-based foods. Tomatoes have a high concentration of acid that can damage the enamel. You may have seen what happens to a clear container after you put spaghetti sauce in it. It turns a reddish-orange color. In fact, this is also what happens to your teeth. If it can stain your clothes, it can stain your teeth.
Avoiding dark or acidic foods can keep your teeth whiter.
Routine Dental Cleaning
Going to your routine dental cleanings doesn’t just benefit your oral health. It can also brighten your smile or help maintain your professional whitening. After your dental hygienist removes the plaque from your teeth with a scaler, they will move to the brushing. They use a high-powered brush and a gritty toothpaste to polish your teeth. Not only does this eliminate plaque, but it also removes mild surface stains. As a result, your smile will be whiter and brighter after a dental cleaning.
Maintain with Whitening Toothpaste
Finally, you can always maintain your professional treatment with whitening toothpaste. The chemicals in whitening toothpaste will help keep the results your dentist created. Rather than lose your whiteness due to your diet, whitening toothpaste can eliminate some of those issues.