How to Keep Your Teeth White This Summer

It’s never been easier to get your teeth whitened these days.

In fact, we offer quick, one-hour teeth whitening right tin your dentist’s office. But once you’ve whitened, how do you keep them sparkling white? Here are some tips just for you.

1. Sip with a straw: When drinking dark beverages, like cranberry juice or soda, use a straw. Using a straw will minimize contact the beverage makes with your teeth, and therefore helps avoid stains. Drinking hot coffee, black teas and red wine can be a challenge to drink with a straw, but it can be done if you’re really committed. Adding cream to your coffee or tea will also help dilute those drinks and minimize staining damage.
2. Know the stainers: Be sure you know which foods and drinks are most likely to cause stains. Sometimes these foods are easy to identify, like dark foods that discolor your teeth while you’re eating them. The obvious strainers are dark berries, beets, popsicles and slushies. Other stainers you may not have thought about are: soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, tomato sauce and curry. Rinse your mouth out thoroughly after eating or drinking these, and try to brush 20-30 minutes later.
3. Quit smoking! Smoking can often lead to yellow or gray teeth. If you want to keep your teeth bright and white, stop using all tobacco products immediately.

The sooner you quit, the sooner you can get your pearly whites back.

Sources:

• http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/healthy-mouth-14/beautiful-smile/stains-teeth?page=1
• http://www.quora.com/How-can-I-keep-drinking-coffee-and-prevent-my-teeth-from-getting-stained
• http://www.byrdie.com/how-to-prevent-red-wine-stains-teeth/slide3
• http://magazine.foxnews.com/style-beauty/how-avoid-red-wine-stained-teeth