Prolonging the results of your teeth whitening treatment while at home and avoiding new stains needn’t always be difficult. It’s usually as simple as changing a few habits. And these changes are painless, practical – and cost little to nothing. Whether you’ve had professional whitening or just want to keep your teeth looking healthy, here are some handy tips to keep your teeth stain-free and pearly-white for longer.
Practising Good Oral Hygiene
Practising good oral hygiene can help keep your teeth looking their whitest while preventing cavities. First of all, brush your teeth at least twice a day. A toothpaste with fluoride is best unless your dentist specifies otherwise. Make sure you replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles become frayed. And – don’t overlook flossing, which must be taken as seriously as brushing, and performed once a day.
Foods That Stain
Limit your intake of foods and beverages that are known to cause discolouration, such as wine, soft drinks, tea, coffee, acidic drinks and berries. Another culprit — and favourite food of many Aussie families — is tomato sauce of any kind, including pizza and spaghetti sauce.
Avoiding Tobacco Use
Smoking does not only stain your pearly whites, but it also poses severe risks to your overall body health.
Don’t think that smokeless tobacco products give you the get-out-of-jail-free card, either. Smokeless tobacco products, such as chewing or dipping tobacco, will stain your teeth even more because they come into physical contact with your teeth. Plus, both tobacco and smokeless tobacco can increase the risk of developing oral cancers, along with other serious health conditions, according to the Australian Dental Association (ADA).
Routine Dental Check-ups
Your routine preventative dental appointment is one of the best ways of keeping your teeth stain-free – as well as healthy. By removing plaque, calculus and external stains during the cleaning, your teeth will look whiter. Most dental professionals recommend a routine dental check-up every six to 12 months; however, some patients need to see the dentist more or less frequently. Ask your dental professional how often you should visit.
By embracing these habits at home, you have the best chance of keeping your teeth looking whiter for longer. However, if avoiding stains is not enough to give you the pearly-white look you want, it could be time to consider some teeth whitening options. So book an appointment with your dental professional. They can recommend the best options for you – either in-clinic or at home – as well as suggesting complementary products such as whitening toothpastes or pens to use at home.
