How to Preserve Your Teeth Whitening Results

A beautiful, pearly white smile can go a long way. In fact, a white smile can make you appear more charismatic and successful, and it can also help you land more dates.

If you’ve already had your teeth whitened, you’re probably aware of the confidence boost that comes with a perfect smile.

But if you practice poor habits, your teeth can become stained again within months after a teeth whitening treatment. We asked our team at Gunnerson Dental to share a few tips on how to avoid teeth staining and prolong the results of teeth whitening.

Keep your enamel strong

The enamel is the strongest layer of bone in your body, but the acids and sugars in the foods you eat are so destructive that even the enamel isn’t a match for them — that is, not without your help.

When your enamel is weak, your teeth become more prone to stains and yellowing. To prevent this, reduce your intake of acidic foods and brush often using a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Switch from juice and coffee to H2O

Fruit juices are often touted for their high vitamin content. But you may want to look into alternative sources of nourishment. Fruit juices are acidic, and many are made from fruits with strong pigments, such as blueberries, blackberries, and pomegranates.

Coffee is another big offender, because it’s also slightly acidic and has a strong pigment. You may be able to get away with drinking some coffee if you add a little bit of milk to dilute the pigment.

Take it easy on the snacks

Each time you consume simple sugars and carbohydrates, you’re feeding the bad bacteria in your mouth. Saliva washes off some of the remaining food, but unless you brush after each meal, some food particles get stuck between your teeth and encourage plaque development.

Snacking makes it hard, if not impossible, to keep your teeth clean throughout the day. For more tooth-friendly alternatives, consider xylitol gums and mints, which don’t contain any sugar.

Rinse after meals

You may already know that oral hygiene is paramount for keeping your teeth healthy. But what can you do when you’re on the go?

If you just had lunch at work and don’t have a place to brush your teeth, carry a bottle of mouthwash with you. If you don’t have mouthwash on hand, even plain water can help, though brushing and flossing are the most effective methods for cleaning teeth.

Learn more about keeping your teeth healthy and clean

Following a teeth whitening treatment, many people fear that their teeth will quickly return to their former color.

Our team at Gunnerson Dental in Payson, Utah, can help you maintain your white smile for longer by suggesting tooth-friendly alternatives to sugar, prescribing dental sealants, and providing regular professional cleanings.