6 Tips for Preventing Discoloration After Teeth Whitening

A bright, beautiful smile is something that we all crave. It’s a symbol of good health, a source of confidence, the first thing that we notice about other people, and the first thing that they notice about us. It helps us in school, in the workplace, and in our relationships. Because that bright, white smile is sometimes difficult to achieve, many have utilized teeth whitening services at their family dentist to help. But maintaining a bright, beautiful smile can be just as tricky as getting one in the first place. Fortunately, you can do some simple, everyday things to help keep your smile looking its best.

1. Watch Out for Staining Foods or Beverages: Just as red wine is sure to stain a white tablecloth, certain foods and drinks are more likely to stain your teeth. These include red wine, coffee, tea, and soda. Fruits such as blueberries or blackberries also contain a lot of staining chemicals. A good rule of thumb: If it stains your fingers or your clothes, it’ll probably also stain your teeth. Try drinking plenty of water while you’re consuming any of these foods and beverages to help rinse your mouth.

2. Schedule Your Dental Cleanings: We all know the importance of brushing and flossing—and we’ll get to that in a moment—but the other most important thing that you can do for the health of your teeth is to visit your family dentist regularly. Professional cleanings every six months not only help to maintain the health of your teeth, they’ll also help keep your smile looking its best, too!

3. Use a Straw for Dark Beverages: Here’s a hot tip, especially if you like to drink soda or iced tea. If you’re drinking a beverage that might stain your teeth, use a straw. This helps to reduce contact between your teeth and the stain-causing elements—especially on your most visible front teeth.

4. Don’t Smoke or Use Tobacco: Hopefully by now you know that both smoking and chewing tobacco are hazardous to your health. What you may not already know is that both kinds of tobacco can also discolor your teeth. Tobacco leaves behind distinctive brown stains on your teeth. These stains can penetrate deep into the enamel, so they’re particularly difficult to remove.

5. Brush and Floss Regularly: As we already mentioned, brushing and flossing are the most important things that you can do every day to protect the health and appearance of your teeth. You should floss daily and brush at least twice a day for wide array of benefits, including a whiter, brighter smile. If you’re concerned about further whitening your smile, ask your family dentist about using a whitening toothpaste to help remove stains and prevent yellowing.

6. Rinse Your Mouth After Meals: Drinking plenty of water can help to protect your teeth from foods and beverages that might stain them, but the benefits of rinsing your mouth after you eat go beyond removing stain-causing culprits. Many foods contain acid that can damage the enamel of your teeth, making it easier for stains to settle in. Rinsing your mouth with water after a meal can help to remove this acid. You should also not brush immediately after consuming acidic foods, as the acid can break down tooth enamel, causing your brush to carry enamel away. Instead, rinse your mouth immediately after eating and brush about 30 minutes later if you can.

If you are one of the millions of Americans who are unhappy with their smiles, teeth whitening services like those offered at Blacker Family Dental can work wonders for your smile and confidence. The effects of teeth whitening can be prolonged with a little care and conscientiousness going forward.

To learn more about teeth whitening services or schedule your next cleaning, call Blacker Family Dental in Kansas City, MO at (816) 763-8400 or click here to schedule an appointment.