Are you thinking about investing in professional teeth whitening in Plymouth? You can look forward to achieving a brighter smile within a relatively short period of time. But how can you maintain your results? Without proper care, your teeth could quickly become discolored again. Here are some foods that can help to remove new surface stains so your smile can stay brilliant for as long as possible.
Strawberries
You may have heard of a so-called hack wherein people make a strawberry paste to apply to the teeth with the goal of removing stains. While that might be moderately effective, it is not wise. The acid in the strawberries may harm tooth enamel.
Nevertheless, there is nothing wrong with snacking on strawberries once in a while. The malic acid in them can make teeth appear brighter and give your smile a little extra glow.
Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
Items like apples, celery, carrots, and cauliflower have a rough texture when they are raw, and they require a lot of chewing to consume. Not only can their rough particles help to scrub teeth and remove surface stains, but your chewing can also lead to increased saliva production. Saliva helps to rinse away bacteria and food particles from teeth, thereby helping you to maintain a bright smile.
Tart Fruits
Oranges, pineapples, lemons, and other tart fruits can cause your mouth to produce more saliva, which in turn can play a role in keeping your teeth white. Just be careful not to overdo it with highly acidic fruits — consuming too much citric acid may lead to enamel erosion. Drink a glass of water after you eat fruit to rinse away any sugar or acid that might be lingering in your mouth.
Low-Sugar Dairy Products
Most dairy products are a light color that will not lead to dental stains. They have other benefits as well. For example, some researchers think that proteins in yogurt can bind to teeth and protect them from acid. Hard cheeses are also a great snack choice since their rough texture can help to scrub away surface stains.
Drinking milk is beneficial as well, even if you just add a splash of it to your favorite hot beverage. One study found that teeth soaked in a mixture of milk and tea incurred less severe stains than those soaked in undiluted tea.
Baking Soda
While you should not eat baking soda right out of the box, brushing your teeth with it can have benefits. Its mildly abrasive texture can help to cleanse away surface stains on your enamel. The easiest way to use baking soda for teeth whitening is to purchase a commercial toothpaste that contains it as an ingredient.
The results of professional teeth whitening do not last forever — but making wise food choices can keep your smile as bright as possible for as long as possible.
Meet the Practice
The talented, experienced dentists at Aveni Dental Professionals are proud to offer a range of cosmetic treatments, including both in-office and take-home whitening services. If you are interested in enhancing your smile’s appearance or have questions about how to maintain the results of an aesthetic procedure, our team would be pleased to speak with you. Contact us at 508-217-7454.