How to Keep Your Smile White

You've splurged on teeth whitening and now have a smile that makes you feel confident and proud. You want the results to last for as long as possible, both to keep teeth whitening cost down and to maximize your new-found confidence. A few tips and tricks will help to keep your pearly whites white for as long as possible. 

Skip Foods and Drinks That Stain

Certain foods and drinks discolor your teeth. A few of the most popular beverages, such as red wine, coffee and tea, are dark-colored, acidic and known for causing stains. While it may be hard to give up your morning cup of Joe or to say no to an after-work glass of wine, do it for your teeth.

You can try swapping beverages that don't stain for those that do, such as white wine for red. Coffee can be a bit trickier to replace, but one option, if you need your morning caffeine, is to limit how much you drink. Stick to one cup and be sure to follow it with some water to rinse out your mouth. Another option, if you're an iced coffee drinker, is to use a straw, so the liquid doesn't come into contact with your teeth.

Don't Smoke

If you need another reason to kick the habit, here's one: Smoking turns your teeth yellow. It also discolors your gums and fingertips and contributes to bad breath. That's not to mention all the other serious health impacts of smoking, such as contributing to lung cancer, heart disease and early death. 

It's not just cigarettes that discolor your teeth. Other tobacco products, such as cigars, chewing tobacco and pipes, will also give your pearly whites a dingy tint.

Eat Some Cheese and Apples

A few foods have a natural teeth whitening effect. They either work by scrubbing your teeth or by helping to strengthen the enamel. Cheese and other dairy products contain calcium, which helps to remineralize your enamel, making it stronger, and less transparent. When your enamel becomes more transparent, it's easier to see the yellow dentin that lies beneath the surface. 

Foods that give your teeth a good scrubbing, helping to remove stains, include apples, celery and carrots.

Hydrate With Water

Water should be your beverage of choice for keeping your teeth whiter and extending the results of professional teeth whitening treatment. Unlike sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages, water isn't acidic. It has a neutral pH that won't wear away your enamel or make your teeth look more yellow. It also doesn't stain the teeth.

As a bonus, tap water in many areas contains fluoride, a mineral that keeps your enamel strong and lowers your risk of tooth decay.

Start or Maintain an Oral Care Routine

Sometimes, the best way to keep your teeth whiter is also the simplest. Brushing your teeth regularly and flossing will help you maintain a healthy smile, with pearly white teeth. When you brush your teeth, you whisk away stains. Flossing also helps to wash away stain-causing particles. 

You can use a whitening toothpaste to make your stain removal efforts go even further, but what's most important is to get in the habit of brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily.

Try At-Home Teeth Whitening

Home teeth whitening products, such as whitening strips or gels, won't give you results as dramatic as an in-office treatment. But, between treatment sessions, they can be a cost-effective way to brighten your smile. 

If you're not sure which product to buy, talk to your dentist. They can give you advice based on your particular oral care concerns and can help you find an at-home product that's comfortable and safe to use.

See a Dentist

A teeth whitening dentist can perform an in-office treatment that improves your teeth's color and makes you proud of your smile. But your dentist can do much more than whiten your teeth. They can also help you protect the overall health of your mouth. During regular, professional dental cleanings, your dentist can deep clean your teeth, removing set-in stains that at-home whitening toothpaste can't touch. Your dentist can also recommend cosmetic treatments to further enhance your smile or restorative treatments to improve the function and appearance of your teeth. 

Regular dental care is the secret to a healthy mouth and whiter teeth. Whether it's time for a check-up and cleaning or you're interested in teeth whitening or other cosmetic dental treatments, contact Grove City Smiles today to schedule an appointment.