If you recently visited your dentist for a teeth whitening procedure, first take a moment to enjoy your beautiful, brilliant smile. Maintaining that smile is the next step, because while professional teeth whitening agents last longer than home kits, your teeth are still susceptible to stains. Use these tips to keep your teeth perfectly white.

How to Extend the Results of Teeth Whitening

1. Avoid Staining Foods & Drinks

Limit your intake of staining beverages and foods such as red wine, coffee, beets, soy sauce, berries, curry, tomato sauce, cherry juice, and soda. These foods and drinks stain tea via tannins and dark pigments. Rinse your mouth with water immediately after eating or drinking staining agents to enjoy whiter teeth for longer.

2. Brush & Floss Regularly

Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day, floss once per day, and brush your tongue to remove surface stains, prevent plaque buildup, and keep your teeth from yellowing. Use a whitening toothpaste recommended by your dentist to further protect against stains. Your dentist may suggest using the toothpaste once or twice a week depending on your teeth and gum sensitivities. Also, throw out your toothbrush every three months or after you have been ill to avoid cleaning teeth with a bacteria-filled implement.

3. Consume More Raw Fruits & Vegetables

Increase your consumption of foods that naturally clean teeth, including carrots, celery, and apples. Raw, crunchy foods and vegetables scrape teeth of plaque and bacteria as you chew, leaving you with a whiter smile and fresher breath. Consume dairy products as well to neutralize decay-causing mouth acids that can dull a white smile.

4. Stop Smoking & Lower Alcohol Consumption

Quit tobacco product use if you haven’t already to support whiter teeth and your overall health. Tobacco penetrates enamel to stain underlying dentin. Any tartar on your teeth also absorbs tobacco and nicotine stains because dental calculus is so porous. Reduce your alcohol intake as well because of chromogens, or beverage colors that stain enamel. And since enamel is already weakened by alcohol’s acid content, stains appear quickly. 

5. See Your Dentist For Touch-Ups

Visit your dentist six months to a year after your teeth whitening procedure for a touch-up. Also, see your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning session and checkup to remove tartar and surface stains.

Work with the dentist at Gladstein Dental Center to maintain a healthy, bright-white smile. The family dentistry clinic has served New Britain, CT and the surrounding areas for nearly 30 years and offers a full suite of general and cosmetic dental services, including veneers and dental implants. Call (860) 223-1162 today to schedule your appointment or fill out a new patient form online. Get more dental health tips on Facebook.