There is something really special about a bright white smile. It can help boost your self-confidence as well as project that confidence out to the world. Frustratingly, our teeth can become visibly marked with unsightly stains. Even if you maintain excellent oral hygiene practices by brushing and flossing regularly, the stains can persist. It’s no surprise then that teeth whitening procedures are as popular as they are.
Laser teeth whitening procedures and take home whitening kits purchased from your dentist are both excellent ways of achieving that glowing white smile. But once you’ve got white teeth, the trick is to maintain them. If you’re not careful, stains can start to gradually return. Fortunately, there are easy ways to make your teeth whitening last longer! Follow these tips to help your whitening procedure last as long as possible.
Avoid things that contribute to teeth staining
- Tea – Tea contains tons of tannins. These molecules are very effective at staining teeth, so try to avoid excessive tea consumption.
- Coffee – While coffee doesn’t contain so many tannins as tea, it is somewhat acidic. This acidity makes your teeth more vulnerable to stains.
- Wine – Red and white wine are both acidic, and can increase staining. Red wine is particularly staining, since it is also vividly coloured.
- Berries – Like red wine, dark berries are common staining culprits due to their bold colours.
- Smoking – Cigarettes and other tobacco products are notorious for staining teeth. If you want to maintain your white smile, that is one more reason to curb or quit tobacco use.
- Soda – Colas and other sweet soft drinks are harmful for your teeth in multiple ways. Their acidity and colouring promote staining, and the sugar can promote cavities.
Periodically touch up your whitening with home whitening products
Before we get to the nitty-gritty of this tip, it should be noted that any at-home whitening products should be purchased from your dentist. They’ll have products that can effectively enhance the shades of your teeth, while preventing damage to your enamel or gums.
- Whitening toothpaste – This is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways of maintaining your teeth whitening, since you can use it whenever you are brushing your teeth anyway. If your initial whitening procedure was Advanced Laser Whitening Treatment, this is an excellent choice.
- At Home Teeth Whitening Kit – If your initial whitening was an at home kit, you can continue to use the same custom-formed whitening tray. You only need to purchase additional syringes of the whitening gel.
These tips can help your pearly whites stay that way until your next trip to the dentist!