Once you’ve had your teeth whitened, the last thing you want to do is go back to the days of yellow and grey teeth. Having your dentist perform teeth whitening in Winnipeg can transform the brightness and appearance of your smile, but what can you do to make that brightness last? Here are eight tips on how to keep your teeth whiter and longer.
Avoid these foods
Some of the most common causes of stained and yellow teeth are highly pigmented foods and drinks. You should always eat and drink these things with caution if you want white teeth, but you should definitely avoid them after having your teeth cleaned if you want to keep them as white as possible. Foods to avoid — sorry in advance! — including coffee and tea, red wine, tomato-based sauces, berries and pomegranates, and sugary foods and drinks.
If you just can’t resist drinking coffee, tea, wine and sweet beverages like sodas and sports drinks, we’ll meet you halfway. To keep those staining beverages from staining your teeth, drink them with a straw that reaches into your mouth past your teeth.
On the other hand, eating these foods
Sustaining your whitened teeth is not all about denial. There are some foods you can eat that will help keep your teeth white by boosting the production of saliva in your mouth. That saliva is important because it neutralizes acids that can degrade your enamel and make it easier for stains to penetrate. Other foods deliver calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that strengthen your enamel and help to prevent stains. Here are some foods you should eat: crunchy fruits and vegetables (apples and celery are great examples) and cheese.
Don’t smoke
One of the fastest ways to undermine the results of teeth whitening near you is to smoke. The nicotine and tar burned while smoking tobacco will turn your teeth yellow in a matter of weeks. Prolonged smoking will push that colour beyond yellow and deep into brown. To keep your teeth as white as possible, and to protect your oral health and health generally, don’t smoke. If you do smoke, ask the staff at a dental clinic near you to recommend smoking cessation support.
Apply some DIY techniques
Professional teeth whitening at a dental clinic in Winnipeg will always produce better results than you can get yourself using DIY options like whitening toothpaste, whitening gels, or strips. Having said that, those over-the-counter options that you can buy at many drugstores and grocery stores can help you touch up your whitened teeth to keep them looking your best.
Don’t skip dental appointments
Going to the dentist to have your teeth whitened is not a good substitute for seeing the dentist for a regular checkup twice a year, or for having your teeth cleaned once a year. One of the most effective ways to keep your teeth clean is to keep them and your gums healthy. To keep your teeth and gums healthy, attend checkups every six months and have your teeth cleaned annually. Your dentist and the staff at All Season Dental will identify any issues that threaten the health, condition, and colour of your teeth — and respond quickly with effective treatment.
If you’re tired of your stained and discoloured teeth, the staff at All Season Dental can reinvigorate your smile and self-confidence by stripping away stains in their office. We understand all the causes of discolouration and have the experience, expertise, equipment, and solutions to transform the appearance of your teeth no matter how those stains are caused. No matter how long you’ve lived with stained teeth, it’s not too late to get whiter teeth and keep them white.