A beautifully white smile can brighten your mood and enhance your self-confidence. To enjoy the benefits of your teeth whitening treatment for as long as possible, it’s important to cultivate habits that will protect your teeth from future discoloration. While New York City cosmetic dentistry services can remove unsightly teeth stains, it is up to you to keep them from returning too soon.
STOP ALL TOBACCO USAGE
Do you smoke? If so, your dentist may have already warned you of the heightened risk it poses for oral cancer and periodontal disease. However, tobacco usage of any kind can also hasten the rate at which you suffer from dull and discolored teeth. Stopping all cigarette, cigar, and pipe smoking activities is essential to keeping your teeth bright and clean. If you find it difficult to give up this habit on your own, talk to your dentist about local cessation programs that could help you stop.
LIMIT YOUR INTAKE OF DARK BEVERAGES
Many people turn to coffee or tea to wake them up in the morning. If you count yourself among this group, consider the staining effects of these beverages. Any dark-colored liquid can discolor teeth when consumed on a consistent basis. So if you often drink coffee, tea, red wine, cola, cranberry juice, or another similar beverage, you may want to reduce the frequency at which you enjoy them. You can also minimize the damage that these drinks may have on your teeth with you follow them with a glass of water or drink them only through straws.
GET REGULAR TEETH CLEANINGS
Daily brushing and flossing practices are key for the removal of bacteria and food debris that can cause plaque buildup on your teeth. Yet even with a consistent oral hygiene routine, you might still notice the gradual yellowing of your teeth. Once plaque turns to tartar, it becomes all the harder to prevent your smile from losing its bright luster. Only a cosmetic dentist with the skills and tools to safely remove tartar can help you retain a white smile for as long as possible. To prolong the results of your teeth whitening treatment, get biannual teeth cleanings.
