How to Keep Your Teeth White: Best Practices for a Bright Smile

A gleaming, white smile is one of the most attractive features you can show off when you first meet someone. Many people remember a beautiful smile long after other memories have faded, so it’s not surprising that many of our patients ask about how to achieve and keep a white smile.

Professional Teeth Whitening

The first step for anyone who wants a whiter smile is to explore the many safe and effective teeth-whitening options we offer at Kenilworth Dental Associates. We offer three ways to brighten your teeth and remove years of stains, including:

• At-Home Teeth Whitening: Our custom-designed splints fit snugly over your teeth to ensure the provided bleaching gel is in full contact. Wear the splints for a few hours daily in the comfort of your home for a week or two to see impressive whitening.
• Zoom Whitening: Our in-office whitening with Zoom can lighten your teeth by up to eight shades in about an hour, instantly improving your smile for a big event. Alternatively, you can whiten your teeth up to six shades over the weekend with our at-home kit.
• LaserSmile®: LaserSmile is the most advanced option for whitening teeth. This in-office treatment combines a whitening gel with laser light for safe but effective whitening in 60 minutes.

While teeth whitening treatments can look great for months, staining and environmental effects will inevitably affect your newly whitened teeth. To maintain their good looks, you have to know how to keep them looking white and avoid re-staining them.

Tips for Maintaining Your Whiter Teeth

1. Maintain a strict oral hygiene routine. Brush twice daily and floss daily. Skipping these simple tasks can result in tartar buildup on your teeth.
2. Avoid foods that stain your teeth, including red sauces, coffee, tea, wine, and blueberries. When you do eat staining foods, be sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly afterward. To drink tea and coffee, use a straw whenever possible to bypass the front teeth.
3. Stop smoking. This is crucial, as smoking stains your teeth faster than anything else. It leaves a dull, yellow film on the teeth that is difficult to remove. It does not come off with brushing.
4. Avoid acidic foods that can weaken dental enamel. When enamel thins, the dentin can show through. Dentin is grayer in color, which can make your teeth appear duller.
5. Always drink a glass of water after a meal or drinks to rinse and clear the mouth if you aren’t able to brush after eating.
6. Use an antiseptic mouthwash regularly. Rinsing with a good mouthwash after meals will wash away food debris and minimize bacteria in the mouth.
7. Choose a whitening toothpaste for daily brushing. These can remove surface stains and keep new stains from forming.
8. Ask us about take-home touch-up kits you can use once a year to maintain your smile. These kits will help remove any new surface stains and brighten your teeth without requiring a full, in-office treatment.

If you’ve been considering teeth whitening, now is the time to call Kenilworth Dental Associates at Kenilworth Dental Associates Office Phone Number (847) 256-7700 to learn about your options and how we can help you get the most out of them to achieve a radiant, unforgettable smile.