Teeth whitening will brighten your smile by several shades for up to a year. However, teeth are always susceptible to staining, so you’ll need to adopt certain practices to ensure the results last. Here are a few do’s and don’ts that will help you maintain them.

Do:

Avoid staining foods and drinks.

Many foods and beverages contain dark pigments that will stain the enamel, including berries, coffee, red wine, tea, beets, and tomato sauce. You should also avoid acidic fruits, such as lemons and oranges, as they’ll weaken the enamel and leave your teeth more susceptible to staining. If you consume any of these foods, rinse your mouth with water and wait 30 minutes before brushing to clear away colored and acidic remnants.

Choose cosmetics wisely.

If you want to enhance your smile with makeup, stick with smudge-free lipstick. Other lipsticks can stain enamel if they make contact with the teeth.

Don’t:

Forget your hygiene routine.

Even if your smile looks bright and healthy, you should never let your oral hygiene take a backseat. Flossing daily and brushing for at least two minutes twice a day will remove plaque and prevent discoloring tartar from forming.

Smoke.

The nicotine in cigarettes will dramatically reduce your teeth whitening results, as it contains staining agents. If you smoke, work with a doctor to explore safe ways to quit. If you aren’t ready to quit, avoid smoking at least 24 hours after the whitening treatment, as the enamel will be highly-susceptible to discoloration.

If you want a  professional teeth whitening touch-up, contact Zen Dental Hawaii in Honolulu. This dental office provides state-of-the-art whitening services to comfortably brighten your smile in a single appointment. With professional care, you can skip the hassle of at-home strips or bleaching gels and minimize sensitivity. View their other cosmetic dentistry services online, or call (808) 532-5888 to schedule an appointment.