As you eat, drink, and enjoy living life, you may have recently zoomed in on a photo and noticed that your smile isn’t as bright as it used to be. If your teeth are looking a little dull or have become stained, here are five tips on how to avoid staining your teeth!
Avoid Certain Foods & Beverages
Did you know that many foods we enjoy daily can stain teeth? These foods and liquids include berries, coffee, red wine, juice, and even tomato sauce! We understand that some of these foods or drinks are sometimes what you need, but be aware that they can stain your teeth, especially if you have just had them whitened. There are some foods that actually protect your teeth. Some ideas include celery, apples, yogurt, milk, and water!
Rinse or Brush After a Meal
Rinsing your mouth with water or brushing after a meal can help prevent tooth stains. Rinsing away the leftover ingredients gives them less time to do damage! It can also dilute the negative staining properties of highly pigmented foods.
Drink with a Straw
It may not always be possible, but drinking with a straw is a great way to avoid staining your teeth when enjoying a drink like iced tea, soda, or iced coffee. Straws reduce the exposure of liquid to the teeth, mainly the front teeth. When you smile, your teeth are less likely to appear stained!
Whitening Toothpaste & Professional Whitening
One way to combat minor tooth stains is by brushing with whitening toothpaste. Regular use will polish the surface and make your teeth appear brighter. For an immediate and noticeable improvement in the whiteness of your smile, the best option is our professional whitening treatment. Be wary of over-the-counter-whitening treatments. They aren’t as effective as professional whitening and often contain abrasives that might damage your teeth.
Maintain Teeth Cleanings
Even if you brush your teeth twice a day with a whitening toothpaste and floss daily, your smile may be dull not because of stains but because of the build-up of plaque and tartar that coats the teeth. It is always important to maintain professional dental cleanings. Not only do these regular visits help keep your teeth bright, they also help us monitor your oral health and take care of any problems while they are still minor.
Bright Smiles at Hillstream Dental
At Hillstream Dental, we want our patients to have options to achieve a bright and healthy smile. Besides great preventive care, we offer an array of cosmetic dental services that can make your smile really shine! Our offices are conveniently located in Rochester Hills and St. Clair Shores. Give us a call to learn more or to schedule your visit.
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