Getting your teeth whitened is an excellent way to boost your self-confidence and remove set-in stains from your tooth enamel. One of the best advantages of getting your teeth professionally whitened is that you can customize your level of whitening so you can get your perfect smile.
But how can you keep your teeth bright after getting a professional whitening? Here are the top ways you can protect the color of your smile to keep your teeth as white as possible for as long as possible!
Keep Up With Your Regular Teeth Cleanings
Regular teeth cleanings with your dentist help remove surface stains that can affect the appearance of your smile [1]. When you skip your professional teeth cleanings, these stains can accumulate over time, leaving you with a dull or discolored smile. Seeing your dentist regularly for teeth cleanings is one of the best ways to protect your new white teeth!
Use a Straw
If you’re a coffee, soda, tea, or wine lover, these beverages can stain your tooth enamel over time. Although you don’t have to give them up completely to keep your smile white, using a straw can help the liquids bypass your teeth and prevent them from staining your tooth enamel. Try using a reusable straw at home for your favorite beverages that stain teeth.
Ask Your Dentist About Take-Home Kits
When getting your professional teeth whitening, you can ask your dentist about any take-home or on-the-go kits they may offer so you can touch-up your teeth whitening over time. Many teeth whitening brands provide touch-up kits that are available through your dentist, and provide a stronger concentration of the whitening agent than over-the-counter options [2]. Ask your dentist about these take-home options to keep your smile looking great!
Drink Water When Eating
It’s no secret that water is a friend to your smile—it helps prevent dry mouth, bad breath, and keeps your teeth cleaner. But did you know that drinking water can help prevent teeth staining? That’s right, sipping water when eating, or consuming tooth-staining beverages, can help buffer your teeth from the compounds that can stain teeth. Plus, many tap water supplies contain fluoride, which can help keep your tooth enamel strong as an added bonus [3].
Considering a Professional Teeth Whitening?
Although a professional teeth whitening may not last forever, you can certainly extend the life of your white smile and keep it bright for as long as possible with the above tips. Ask your dentist about more ways that you can continue to enjoy your bright smile during your next teeth cleaning!
Sources:
1. https://www.nature.com/articles/bdjteam2017175
2. https://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/whitening
3. https://now.tufts.edu/articles/what-causes-discolored-teeth-and-there-any-way-cure-
