subject: Maintaining Your Newly Whitened Smile [print this page] Maintaining Your Newly Whitened Smile Maintaining Your Newly Whitened Smile
You have just had your teeth whitened and they look beautiful. Now, the trick is to keep them that way. Depending on your lifestyle and eating habits, this might be easy or difficult. Assuming that your tooth whitening was a noticeable success, it is very likely that, in the past, you frequently exposed your teeth to substances that stain them. Cosmetic dentists recommend the following tips to maintain you newly whitened smile.
Avoid Tobacco
This does not mean to just quit smoking, as any use of tobacco can stain your teeth. Chewing tobacco will stain your teeth darker and faster than smoking, but smoking will definitely stain your teeth. Take a close look at any ceramic ashtray, the walls, curtains or other fixtures in a room where smoking takes place. There is always a sticky brownish residue and that is the same material that imbeds itself into the pores of your teeth.
Tooth-Staining Foods
When it comes to maintaining your tooth whitening results, sometimes you have to balance the healthy foods in your diet against their stain-causing abilities. There are many foods, like cherries, cranberries, beets or soy sauce that can stain teeth. For all the anti-oxidant and health promoting qualities of blueberries and red wine, the downside is that these foods commonly cause the stains that mar your lovely smile.
Sugary foods and foods that have strong dyes can discolor your teeth. Coffee, tea and colas are also guilty of tooth staining. As three of our favorite drinks, these may be tough to give up, but be aware that they will take their toll on your pearly white teeth.
Medicines that Stain Teeth
Taken in high doses, tetracycline has been responsible for darkening teeth. While you may not find yourself taking tetracycline often enough to create a problem, if you have taken it in the past, you may find it more difficult to get that white teeth smile.
Fluoride is a common agent we consume that offers the benefit of protecting our teeth. Unfortunately, overexposure makes it another tooth darkening culprit. While medicines are not as controllable as some other stain-causers, it doesn't hurt to know what else can contribute to stained teeth.
Your Number One Ability to Maintain Teeth Whiteness
If you want maximum control in maintaining your teeth whitening treatment, make sure you commit to an excellent oral hygiene program. That includes brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. Avoid tooth-whitening toothpastes as they all have abrasives that can wear away your natural tooth enamel. And try eliminating, or at least reducing some of the food and drink that is known to cause staining of your teeth.
