3 Ways To Make Your Teeth Whitening Treatment Last

Nothing can compare to that gleaming, confident grin you have when your dentist completes a professional teeth whitening treatment. But once you get back into your normal habits, that freshly-whitened smile gradually starts to fade away. To help your teeth whitening treatment last as long as possible, follow these three simple steps.

1. Learn to Love Straws

You probably already have a habit of drinking through a straw if you have a fountain drink, like from a restaurant or drive-thru. But you should be using straws for everything (except water, of course). Yes, this includes your morning cup of joe and your evening glass of red wine. 

The issue with dark stain-causing beverages is that the longer they have to stick to your teeth, the greater their chances of causing more stains. To avoid re-staining your pearly whites again, you want to prevent that beverage from hitting your teeth. The best way to do this (besides skipping stain-causing drinks altogether)? Use a straw. 

2. Start Swishing

It's common to think that brushing your teeth right after eating is the best way to prevent future issues with stains. This isn't always true though. If you ate -- or drank -- anything acidic, you need to wait before you brush. Acidic foods and drinks, including citrus fruits and juices, weaken your tooth enamel. 

If you brush too soon, you risk damaging your tooth enamel, which can open you up to more staining. You can either wait to brush for at least 30 minutes or start swishing. You don't need to always have mouthwash on hand to do this. Instead, just swish some water around in your mouth to remove some of that acidic or stain-causing residue. 

3. Chomp on Scrubbing Foods

There are plenty of foods you can enjoy that are known for scrubbing your teeth while you eat. The fibrous texture of certain whole-grain foods, fruits, and vegetables helps scrape away stuck-on stain-causing food particles. Plus, they stimulate your gums and help keep gum tissue as healthy as possible. So, after your next meal, enjoy a fresh apple, handful of baby carrots, a scoop of natural almonds, or slivers of celery sticks. These healthy low-calorie foods truly act as natural toothbrushes.

Talk with your dentist about additional ways you can make your teeth whitening treatment last. They can recommend whitening toothpastes and rinses that can remove surface stains, without irritating your gums or making your teeth sensitive.