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Keep Your Teeth Whiter, Longer

Whitening your teeth is an excellent way to start the new year. Whether you go to your dentist or try an at-home treatment, teeth whitening can improve your self-esteem and leave a lasting impression on others. If you have made the step to whiten your teeth, it is likely that you want the results to last as long as possible. If so, here are some helpful tips to keep your teeth whiter for longer. 

zoomed and cropped image of a woman with a beautiful white smile teeth whitening cosmetic dentistry dentist in Plano Texas

Good Oral Hygiene

An easy way to keep your teeth whiter is to maintain a good oral health routine. Most dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day. Additionally, you should floss at least once a day as well. Performing this small amount of necessary maintenance can help reduce the amount of plaque that sticks to your teeth. Plaque is a form of harmful bacteria that grows in your mouth, destroying your enamel and gums

Unfortunately, plaque is the enemy of a white smile. When plaque builds, it can cause your teeth to turn yellow. Not only does plaque ruin your enamel, but it can also ruin your smile. An increase in plaque means a diminished smile. Therefore, you need to keep a good oral care routine in order to maintain your white smile. 

Maintain with Whitening Toothpaste

Another way that you can lengthen the whiteness of your teeth is to use whitening toothpaste. If you receive a professional whitening, you get your results in one session compared to using at-home methods. In this case, you can use whitening toothpaste to keep your teeth as white as possible. 

If you find that your teeth are more sensitive than usual, you can alternate using the whitening toothpaste with toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Whitening toothpaste won’t drastically change the shade of your teeth, which is why it is a good choice for maintaining your professional treatment. 

Watch Your Diet

If you want to keep your teeth whiter, you should take a look at your diet. The foods and drinks that you consume can discolor your teeth. For example, your morning coffee can slowly yellow your teeth. Additionally, foods that contain a tomato base or soy sauce can stain your teeth as well. Generally, if it can stain your clothes, it can stain your teeth. 

If you want to continue consuming foods that can stain your teeth, you should rinse your mouth with water after eating. This can help remove some of the harmful staining power of these foods. Also, with colorful drinks, consider using a straw to keep the beverage from touching your teeth. 

In addition, you should also watch how much sugar or acid you consume in your diet. Any foods or drinks with high acidity can damage your enamel. Unfortunately, this can discolor your teeth as well as increase your risk of developing cavities. With sugar, the bacteria in your mouth consume the sugar and creates an acid that destroys your enamel. The more bacteria in your mouth, the more discolored your teeth can become.