A white smile is highly desirable among patients—for a good reason. White smiles can leave a lasting impression and improve your self-esteem. If you have a bright, white smile, you may see an improvement in your confidence. A professional whitening treatment can give you drastic results in just one appointment. In fact, you can see your smile brighten by five to seven shades. It can take weeks or even months to see significant improvement with at-home whitening treatments.
If you decide to get a professional whitening treatment, you will likely want the results to last as long as possible. Therefore, you should follow some of the suggestions listed below.
Use A Whitening Toothpaste
To keep your teeth whiter, longer, you should use a whitening toothpaste. The chemicals in most whitening toothpaste can help break down and lift stains, keeping your smile bright and shiny. Whitening toothpastes use hydrogen or carbamide peroxide to break down stains chemically. Additionally, whitening toothpaste can also contain small abrasive particles to help buff and polish surface stains.
Regular use of whitening toothpaste can help you maintain your white smile.
Avoid Staining Foods
Your diet can play a big part in the color of your teeth. Therefore, it is important to watch what you eat in order to keep your teeth white. Foods that are dark in color have the potential to stain your teeth. For example, soy sauce and other dark sauces can stain your teeth if you consume too much.
Additionally, foods that contain a tomato base can leave behind a reddish stain. Imagine what a tomato-based sauce does to clear plastic containers. This is exactly what it can do to your teeth. Just keep in mind: if it can stain your clothes, it can stain your teeth.
Even some fruits, such as dark-colored berries, can diminish your smile over time. If you want to keep your teeth whiter for longer, you should take a look at the foods you eat.
Watch Your Beverage Choices
As well as your food choices, you should pay attention to the beverages you drink. Many of our favorite drinks that we consume on a regular basis can leave behind stubborn stains. For example, coffee is a drink that thousands of people consume every day, several times a day. It is a warm drink that can start your morning or fuel your day.
However, the rich, energizing drink can leave behind unwanted stains. The tannins that give coffee its bold, earthy flavor also allow stains to cling to your teeth. As a result, you may want to reduce the amount of coffee you drink every day. If coffee is not something you are willing to give up, you may consider a straw. Drinking coffee with a straw can minimize the contact with your teeth, minimizing the stains left behind.
Get Your Regular Dental Cleanings
Your regular dental cleanings can help maintain your bright white smile. While your hygienist cleans your teeth, they will use a high-powered toothbrush with a gritty toothpaste. This helps polish your teeth, removing some surface stains.