Now you have your perfect white teeth or perhaps you are about to start on the process, you still need to keep in mind once your teeth whitening treatment has finished there are certain things you must do daily to ensure you keep your beautiful sparkling white teeth in check. In the same way, you avoid dirty roads once you have washed your car or avoid walking out in the rain once you have had your hair done. you also need to be mindful about how to treat your teeth if you want them to remain as white as possible, for as long as possible. The first 48 hours following treatment is critical, there are certain foods, drinks, and habits that can discolour your teeth.
What You Should Avoid to Keep Your Teeth White
Coloured Drinks
Coloured beverages such as red wine and dark fizzy drinks can all have an impact on your teeth’s colour and appearance. if you still want these drinks is to use a straw, especially in the first few days following treatment. When drinking through a straw the amount of drink is less likely to come in contact with your teeth.
Smoking
Smoking causes a lack of oxygen in your bloodstream. In general, smoking can have a detrimental effect on oral health. For example, it can cause tooth loss, staining, gum disease due to a build-up of bacteria, and mouth cancer. Stopping smoking will not only keep the appearance of your teeth for longer but also improve your overall oral health.
Caffeine
As well as coloured drinks caffeine specifically can also discolour your teeth. Not only tea and coffee but also dark chocolate which contains caffeine. Furthermore, Tannins which is a type of polyphenol often found in coffee can cause colour compounds to stick to your teeth often leaving a yellow tinge. As well as using a straw as previously mentioned another tip would be to rinse your mouth with water following your drink or chocolate.
Acidic Food & Drinks
Dental erosion can be caused by acidic drinks and foods which causes the loss of tooth enamel. When this hard, protective coating is damaged it makes the tooth more susceptible to staining. Furthermore, it exposes the dentin which is the layer beneath the enamel which is a naturally darker and yellow colour. Foods such as citrus fruits (lemons, limes, grapefruit) general fruits (peaches, apples, grapes) fruit juice, vinegar, jam, and jelly all have an impact on our teeth. Additionally, sauces that are both acidic and dark in colour can also have a detrimental effect. Sauce like soy sauce, pasta sauce and condiments like ketchup and barbeque sauce.
Protecting Your White Teeth
There are certain tips and tricks you can use to ensure your teeth stay white even if you have the above food and drink.
Whitening Toothpaste & Mouthwash
This may sound obvious, but this is often forgotten, simply using a tooth whitening toothpaste and mouthwash can help keep your white smile. Some products use hydrogen peroxide which is the main ingredient that can break down bacteria and plaque. This is a simple yet affected daily step. In general, keeping up with your daily oral routine is the best way to tackle stained teeth. Brushing twice daily, using mouthwash, and flossing at least once a day keeps teeth, healthy, clean, and stain-free.
Drink Water
Water is not only beneficial for your overall health and wellbeing it is great to wash away any dark or acidic food or drink you have consumed.
Brush Following Consumption
The longer in between brushing, the longer the food and drink have to sit on your teeth. Although there is a warning with this, it is essential to wait at least 30 minutes before doing so. Acid softens your tooth enamel, so brushing too soon can damage the enamel.
Visit your Dentist
Regular visits to your dentist or your teeth whitening dentist if you visited a different clinic, not only have a benefit for your overall dental health but they can also professionally clean your teeth to maintain your white smile.
When You Need Treatment Again
Even following the above advice, it is a given that your dental whitening is not going to last forever. There is a range of touch-up treatments that your dentist can advise you on and these are often required every six months. However, this does depend on how you treat your teeth and the lifestyle habits you choose.
To book your teeth whitening appointment or for more information contact Grosvenor Dental today.
