Keeping Teeth White

Once you have had your teeth whitened, you need to maintain their color as long as possible so you won’t have to go back for another procedure too quickly.

Here are some tips you can use to keep your teeth from getting darker, and to keep teeth white after a whitening procedure:

1.     Make sure to follow your dentist’s directions after the cleaning. You will probably not be allowed any colored foods or beverages for a few days.

2.     Avoid dark foods like tomato sauces for at least one week.

3.     Cut out dark-colored beverages like coffee, red wine, and dark colas, or drink them with a straw.

4.     Make sure you brush your teeth and floss after every meal, and again at bedtime to keep away plaque and stains.

I know it may be difficult to avoid dark foods and drinks, but it is very necessary. Whenever you do indulge, try to keep food back behind your

teeth by using a straw and by chewing with your back teeth instead of the front.

Some items to avoid or limit:

·        Blueberries, blackberries, and other fruits that can stain skin or clothing. They will also stain teeth!

·        Coffee, tea, red wine, dark cola, Kool-Aid, and other dark or brightly-colored beverages.

·        Tomato sauce and other sauces that are brightly colored.

·        Condiments that stain, such as mustard and ketchup.

As a general rule of thumb, avoid anything that will stain clothing or skin. If it stains clothing or skin, it will probably also stain teeth.

Remember, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Keeping your teeth white is much more effective than any whitening procedure! Plus, it’s a lot cheaper to keep your teeth white than to pay hundreds of dollars for commercial or professional whitening.