An In-Depth Guide to Maintaining a White Smile after Teeth Whitening

Having white teeth in our day and age has become a necessity. We see new gadgets popping up every day, promising a more radiant smile. Who wouldn’t want that dazzling smile? Dental technology has made teeth whitening in Weymouth, MA, more effective than ever before.

However, getting a brighter smile is the easy part. Maintaining that dazzling white smile is where the fun starts. To keep that smile in tip-top shape, our Weymouth dentist offers the following bits of wisdom:

Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Do not make the colossal mistake of thinking that you can skip the usual daily oral practices since your teeth are bright. This will work against your teeth. Bacteria will have a field day with your teeth. Other than just stains, you will be dealing with cavities and gum disease in no time.

That dazzling smile will fail so fast, and you might think that the teeth whitening in Weymouth, MA, did not work.

You will have to work hard to keep your teeth shining. Brush at least twice a day. This will ensure that plaque and surface stains that build up throughout the day are removed. As you already know, when plaque is left unchecked, it forms the yellowish-brown deposits on the teeth.

Flossing goes very well with brushing since it helps remove the food particles that get stuck in between your teeth. It can reach places where your toothbrush cannot reach. Proper flossing will give you the desired results, so do not simply perform a quick ‘once over.’

Use the Proper Dental Products Recommended By Our Dentist

Some mouthwashes and kinds of toothpaste can help boost the effects of professional teeth whitening. They are not designed to dramatically change your smile like the in-office cleaning, but they will help maintain the shine until your next whitening treatment.

Do not just buy any toothpaste or mouthwash that says it can help whiten your teeth. You can call our Weymouth dentist and ask for the products we recommend to aid your efforts in keeping your teeth white.

Avoid Drinking Colored Beverages

Don’t we love coffee or tea in the morning, or sipping some red wine later on in the day? If this is you, you need to remember that some of your favorite beverages will undo all the work done on your teeth. After teeth whitening, here are some of the drinks to avoid:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Red wine
• Beer
• Fruit juices
• Sodas

These drinks are bad for your smile. But if you must indulge, then use a straw as this helps keep the liquid away from your teeth.

Keep Away From Foods That Stain

There are foods that you need to steer clear of after you get your teeth whitened. Generally, avoid greasy, acidic, or colored foods, as these can easily stain your enamel. Some of the foods you should avoid are:

• Red meat
• Dark chocolate
• Colorful spices such as turmeric and curry
• Dark-colored sauces such as soy sauce, red sauce, and balsamic vinegar
• Highly pigmented berries such as raspberries or blueberries
• Artificially colored candy

This list isn’t extensive, but one excellent way to know which food to eat is by asking yourself if the food can stain your shirt. If it can, then you should steer clear of that food.

Avoid Tobacco Products

One of the fastest ways of re-staining your teeth is by using tobacco. Tobacco is notorious for yellowing teeth. Patients who chew or smoke tobacco will need to continually touch up their teeth to keep a white smile.

What You Can Eat and Drink

You have a variety of foods and beverages that you choose from that help maintain your smile. After whitening your teeth, you might benefit from trying a “white diet” for roughly two weeks. These are foods that are white or colorless. Here are some of the foods that help whiten teeth that you can indulge in:

• Dairy products like cheese, plain yogurt, and milk
• Coconut milk
• Coconut water
• White wine
• Unflavored or still water
• Crunchy foods such as celery, pears, apples, and carrots
• Tart foods such as sour apples, oranges, or pineapples
• White rice
• Almonds
• Potatoes
• Bananas

You have the chance to keep your smile white after professional teeth whitening. If you have any questions or would like to brighten your smile, contact our dentist at Weymouth Dental Associates.