How To Keep Your Smile White

Whitening your teeth is a perfect way to enhance your smile. It can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem. While there are numerous ways you can whiten your teeth at home, getting a professional cleaning through your dentist gives you better, faster results. If you whiten your teeth, you probably want to maintain the brightness as long as possible. To do that, you should keep a dedicated oral health routine and watch your diet. 

Closeup image of woman with perfect white teeth Cosmetic dentistry Mount Pleasant Michigan

Oral Hygiene Routine

One way to keep your teeth bright and shiny is to have a proper oral care regimen. Dentists recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice a day. This helps to rid your mouth of damaging plaque. Plaque is a form of harmful bacteria that clings to the surfaces of your mouth. If you do not remove plaque, it will begin to erode your enamel slowly. However, brushing your teeth is not enough to keep your teeth healthy and white. 

Flossing is an integral part of your oral care routine. This is because your toothbrush cannot adequately reach between your teeth or below your gum line. These are common places for you to develop tooth decay or gum disease. In addition, leaving plaque between your teeth and gum line can alter the color of your teeth. Even if you whiten the surface, you can still have yellowing stains. 

Dental Cleanings

It is also helpful to maintain regular dental cleanings. During your cleaning, the dental hygienist scrapes all the plaque that you cannot reach. They use a scaler to get between your teeth and under your gum line. Then, they use a high-powered brush and thick, gritty paste to polish and buff your teeth. This helps to shine and whiten your teeth, removing surface stains. Finally, they will use a special technique to floss under your gums. They are far more efficient than you can be at home. 

If you have recently whitened your teeth, making routine dental cleanings will help maintain the whiteness of your smile. 

Avoid Staining Foods

You may not consider your diet when thinking of a white smile. Unfortunately, some of your favorite foods can diminish your white smile. Just remember: if it can stain your clothes, it can stain your teeth. 

Coffee is an incredibly popular way for most people to start their mornings. However, coffee can leave behind unwanted stains. Although coffee is a dark liquid, it is the tannins that alter the color of your teeth. Tannins are a compound that gives coffee its strong, earthy flavor. Additionally, these tannins allow the color of the coffee to go well beneath the surface of your teeth. Rather than just altering the top layer of your teeth, the stains go through the pores. 

Even some foods like berries or tomato-based sauces can diminish your smile. Dark-colored berries, such as blackberries, stain the surface of your teeth. In addition, the acid in tomatoes erodes part of your enamel, increasing the likelihood of stains.