It is a simple fact of nature that most teeth do not stay white. Over time, enamel ages, we eat things that have a strong natural color to them, and our teeth lose their pearly whiteness.
This is only, of course, highlighted by the fact that some people seem to have preternaturally white teeth but for most of us, white is not actually a natural state. But that doesn't stop it from being necessary for work, romance, special events, and photo shoots. Whether you're trying to get a promotion, your cousin is getting married, or you simply need to look good on camera for a few moments, white teeth are not optional.
The real question, once you've resolved to get a professional whitening treatment, is how to make the most of it and keep your teeth as white as possible afterward.
1) Drink Water and Rinse Often
The first tip we have for you is to rinse your teeth often. Food particles sit on your teeth after you eat or drink and can start discoloration with surprising quickness.
However, you can decrease the impact of what you consume, thus making it possible to still enjoy the good things in life like coffee and cola, by rinsing your mouth frequently.
Drinking a glass of water is just as effective as rising in the traditional fashion, as long as water flows over your teeth to wash away the remaining food particles.
2) Watch Out for Staining Foods
That said, you should still be careful about tooth-staining foods like coffee, cranberries, cola, and wine. Even with rinsing, the more you expose your teeth to these substances, the more likely they are to become discolored.
If you want to maintain white teeth after a cosmetic whitening, limit your consumption of anything on the tooth staining list.
3) Maintain Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Nothing is more important to long-term tooth health and appearance than the daily routine. Ideally, you should be brushing at least twice a day and one of those times should be right before you go to bed.
This ensures that there are no remaining food particles on your teeth to turn into plaque as you sleep. For whitening purposes, use a strong whitening toothpaste and consider brushing after every time you eat rather than simply in the morning and at night.
4) Keep a Few Straws Around
Still want to drink brown cola and chocolate milk even though you care about your teeth? Fortunately, dental enthusiasts have come up with a fantastically clever and simple workaround. The straw.
That's right, all the joy of your favorite staining drinks (and soups?) by simply bypassing the teeth entirely. You can keep a pack of disposable straws handy or carry your own colorful crazy straw if you need to make someone laugh and maintain your tooth enamel at the same time.
5) Get Regular Whitening Treatments
Finally, let's return back to the original point. Most teeth don't stay white. No matter how well you take care of them, the vast majority of people will see yellowing teeth in a few months to a few years after their last whitening treatment.
This is nothing to worry about and is perfectly natural. However, if you want to keep your teeth sparkling white, you may want to schedule regular whitening sessions.
Getting your teeth whitened is almost always a strategic decision. It can make you seem healthier, younger, and more aggressive both at work and in your personal life. In order to make the most of any teeth whitening treatments you do get, be sure to take excellent care of your teeth to reduce the amount of staining that occurs over time.
For more information about cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, or dental care, contact us today!
