If you have just had your teeth whitened, you are probably very happy with your smile right now. However, it would be a great shame if you allowed all that work to go to waste by not protecting your whitened teeth. Here are some practical things that you can do to keep your teeth white and healthy.
Watch What You Eat
One of the leading causes of stained teeth is our food and drinks. If you like red wine, for example, it is very likely that you will end up with stained teeth. This is because such food and drink items have plenty of colored residues which can stick to your newly whitened teeth. If you must take drinks such as coffee or red wine, ensure that you drink them in moderation. You can also get into the habit of brushing your teeth after taking these drinks or simply rinsing your mouth with clean water to remove the colored residue.
Keep Your Teeth Healthy
Your newly whitened teeth can still succumb to bacterial attack and cavities. This may lead to gum disease and sometimes even the loss of some of the teeth. The best way to deal with this is to have a thoroughly effective oral hygiene regimen. This means regular brushing, flossing and dental exams. By doing this, you make it likely that any dental conditions will be caught early and will be fixed.
Avoid Acidic Drinks
While some food items affect your teeth by discoloring them through their residue, others do this by stripping the enamel off your teeth. Food that contains acids may not always be the usual culprits that we are used to, namely fizzy drinks. Others that you may not be aware of include citric fruits when taken in excessive quantities, some alcoholic drinks, and vinegar. When enamel is stripped away by the acid, it exposes the second layer known as dentine. Unfortunately for you, dentine has a yellow tinge and so your teeth will look somewhat discolored. The loss of enamel also makes your teeth susceptible to tooth cavities. You should take acidic food and drinks in moderation. After taking acidic drinks, wait for a few minutes otherwise brushing your teeth immediately damages the enamel further.
Dental Sealants
One way that you can protect your amazing smile and keep it for longer is by the use of dental sealants. This is a clear gel that is applied on the surface of your teeth and helps to give an extra layer of protection from cavities and staining. It is important to remember that your dentist has to do a checkup to ensure that you are a good candidate for dental sealants. For example, all cavity problems and bacterial buildup have to be dealt with before a dental sealant is used.
Dr. Alex Rubinov is an experienced dental practitioner in New York. The practice offers a range of services including teeth whitening, smile makeovers, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontics, to name but a few. Contact the team at (718) 253-0800 for an appointment.