You’ve done it! You have just completed a course of teeth whitening and are reaping the rewards:

• A healthier looking smile
• The confidence to smile and smile often
• Increased confidence
• A more youthful appearance

But how do you ensure that you get the best possible return on your investment? In this blog we look at ways to ensure that your teeth stay as white as possible for as long as possible.

Avoid Foods that Stain

Following teeth whitening treatment there are certain foods and drinks that you should be mindful of to help maintain your now pearly white teeth.

These include wine and tea, both of which contain high levels of stain promoting tannins. Ideally try to intersperse glasses of water between each glass of wine and consider switching to a herbal, green or white tea which have been shown to have much lower staining capacity.

Fizzy drinks, no matter what their colour, are sufficiently acidic to promote the staining of teeth by other foods and drinks that you have at the same time. This is further exacerbated if the fizzy drinks are cold.

Berries and dark sauces also have the ability to stain your teeth.

A good rule of thumb to follow is that if you would worry about a food or drink staining your clothes or table linen, it will also have the ability to stain your teeth.

Stop Smokin

One of the effects of smoking is staining on the teeth due to the nicotine and tar in the tobacco. It can make your teeth yellow in a very short time, and heavy smokers often complain that their teeth are almost brown after years of smoking.

Consider stopping smoking to reduce the amount of staining on your teeth.

Put in place and effective oral hygiene routine

 A good oral hygiene routine helps to remove plaque, calculus and helps to keep staining to a minimum.

 We would advise that you:

• Brush your teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste

• It is best not to brush your teeth until at least one hour after eating as brushing straight away can cause tiny softened particles of enamel to be brushed away

• Change your toothbrush every three months to ensure you are getting the most effective clean.

• Use interdental cleaning aids to brush in between your teeth daily

Eat a balanced and varied diet

A wide variety of fruit and vegetables in your diet help to ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need and help keep your teeth and gums healthy.

To help your teeth and general health aim to eat 3 meals a day plus no more than two snacks. If you do snack stick to crudities and nuts rather than sweets and chocolates. Nuts provide a great source of calcium and vitamin D which have been shown to help improve your dental health.

Visit the hygienist

A healthy smile is so important in defining who we are and how we interact with each other. Recent studies have shown that people are more likely to underestimate a person’s age if they smile.

Alongside your regular at home oral hygiene routine, it is a good idea to visit the hygienist for regular scaling and polishing. The hygienist will be able to remove staining caused by smoking, food, drink and other lifestyle factors. They will also be able to advise you on the best oral hygiene products to keep staining to a minimum in between appointments.

If you would like to find out more about teeth whitening and keeping your smile bright do not hesitate to contact The Essex Smile Centre on 01268 742 333 .Please go online to book your dental health examination or if you are considering a smile makeover book a free smile evaluation today.