Since your teeth are porous, your diet, lifestyle choices, and the normal wear and tear of your teeth significantly impact the brightness and whiteness of your smile. While teeth whitening treatments in El Dorado Hills can help you get rid of unsightly stains on your teeth, you can do several things to keep your smile bright.
Tips for Keeping Your Teeth Bright and White
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
One of the most important things you can do to achieve and maintain the kind of smile you’ve always wanted is to practice proper oral hygiene habits at home. Besides giving you fresh breath, good oral hygiene also aids in keeping your teeth white. An excellent routine includes the following:
- Brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes
- Flossing them thoroughly at least once daily
- Rinsing your mouth with an antiseptic or antibacterial mouthwash
Practice Proper Brushing Techniques
Your teeth become more vulnerable to staining when their protective layer or enamel becomes damaged. In most cases, people wear down their enamel when they pair abrasive bristles with aggressive brushing movements. Besides causing enamel damage, overly vigorous brushing can also lead to gum recession.
Limit Your Intake of Stain-Causing Foods and Beverages
Highly pigmented foods and drinks such as berries, tomato sauce, coffee, tea, soda, and red wine can leave permanent stains on your teeth’s enamel. If you’re looking to reduce your chances of getting your teeth stained, it’s best to limit your consumption of these foods and beverages.
Rinse Your Mouth with Water After Eating Colorful Meals
Giving your mouth a good rinse after enjoying particularly colorful meals that leave stains on your teeth is an excellent way to keep your smile white.
Eat More Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
Did you know that eating crunchy fruits and vegetables can increase saliva production? The more you eat apples, carrots, and celery, the more you stimulate your salivary glands to produce more saliva to wash away food debris and stains that cling to your teeth’s enamel.
Use a Straw When Drinking Stain-Causing Liquids
If you can’t live without your morning cup of coffee, a glass of red wine, or a can of soda, it’s best to use a straw. Drinking your favorite stain-causing beverages through a straw will allow the liquid to bypass your front teeth. Consider using reusable straws to make this lifestyle change more cost-effective and eco-friendly.
Use a Whitening Toothpaste
Although you can find many whitening toothpaste options on the market, not all of them are created equal. During your next dental appointment, you’ll want to ask your dentist to recommend the most effective whitening toothpaste for your teeth.
Schedule Regular Dental Appointments
Dental health experts recommend scheduling dental exams and teeth cleaning appointments every six months. Besides ensuring your oral health, these twice-yearly appointments can also help you keep your smile as white as possible. You can ask your dentist about professional teeth whitening procedures to brighten your teeth safely and effectively during these appointments.
Considering Professional Teeth Whitening in El Dorado Hills?
If you’re looking to achieve more dramatic teeth whitening results, you should try professional teeth whitening. Besides being the safest way to improve the color of your teeth, this treatment will also deliver quality results in a short timeframe.
At Forest Ridge Dental Group, we’re here to help you feel great about your smile. If you’re looking to get rid of the permanent stains on your teeth, contact us today to make an appointment!