how to keep your teeth white

How to Keep Your Smile Bright After Teeth Whitening

Did you finally get your teeth professionally whitened?

Want to make sure you keep them that way?

After you get professional teeth whitening, it’s important that you don’t undo it by doing all of the wrong things afterward. You need to think about a few things to ensure you maintain your teeth’s new shine long after you get professional whitening services.

Below are the top things to remember if you’re wondering how to keep your teeth white after getting professional whitening.

1. Don’t Neglect Your Daily Care Routine

Just because you’ve been gotten your teeth professionally whitened it doesn’t mean that it’s time for you to let your daily care routine fall by the wayside. After your whitening, you should still brush and floss regularly and be using a great mouthwash.

For an even better daily routine, it’s a great idea to get an electric toothbrush. An electric toothbrush will be even more effective than a regular toothbrush at removing tough stains as they appear.

Flossing is also essential. Flossing regularly will allow you to remove any extra particles that are stuck in your teeth and will also help prevent any more teeth discoloration as a result.

2. Eat the Right Foods

Some foods are known to stain your teeth worse than others so it’s important to think carefully about what you’re eating. These foods that can lead to staining should especially be avoided in the days directly after a professional whitening.

Blueberries, ketchup, balsamic vinegar and other dark-colored foods have a high probability of creating more stains on your teeth so avoid them if possible.

Similarly, you may want to start eating more foods that promote whiter teeth such as yogurt, milk, cheese, and rice.

3. Be Careful with Coffee and Tea

Coffee and black tea are some of the worst drinks you can have and can lead to a lot of teeth discoloration.

While you can drink beverages such as coffee and tea in moderation it may be time to start using a straw if you do consume these beverages.

A straw will allow you to reduce the staining power of these drinks and help them avoid direct contact with your teeth. It can help you avoid any extra discoloration.

4. Avoid Smoking and Other Tobacco Products

Cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and any other types of tobacco products are big culprits when it comes to adding discoloration to your teeth.

If you’re a regular smoker, it can be very hard to break the habit. However, your teeth will be much better off if you’re able to cut back in the days following your teeth whitening.

On the other hand, if you only smoke in the occasional social situation it’s also a good idea to avoid it after getting your teeth whitened.

5. See Your Dentist Regularly

In addition to doing all of the things above and maintaining a great daily care routine, you should also be going in for regular appointments with your dentist.

A dentist will able to clean your teeth in ways that you aren’t able to on your own. They’ll be able to help you get rid of surface stains and polish your teeth.

These regular visits will ensure that you maintain your new bright smile and your dentist will also be able to guide you in case there’s anything you should be doing differently.

Learning How to Keep Your Teeth White Going Forward

By following the tips above you’ll know how to keep your teeth white long after your professional teeth whitening.

While professional teeth whitening services can be a big help, remember that it’s only half the battle. You need to make sure you’re doing everything you can on your own to continue to maintain white and healthy teeth.

Looking for a dentist in La Mesa, California? Get in touch today to schedule an appointment and find out more about what we can do for you.