Keeping your teeth clean and white offers confidence and increased self-esteem every time you speak or smile. After a simple teeth whitening appointment at a dentist's office, there are some basic techniques to keep your teeth in pristine condition and give your dental hygiene a boost, too. Here's a closer look. 

How to Prevent Your Teeth From Staining

1. Maintain Daily Oral Hygiene

Most people know that brushing should be done every morning and again before bed. As crucial as this is, flossing is also needed to clean the surfaces of teeth that a brush can't reach. Plaque has a tendency to build up between teeth and along the gumline, making gum disease and decay more likely, so be sure to floss during one of your brushing sessions every day.

2. Be Aware of What You Eat and Drink

Dentists typically advise patients to refrain from drinking or eating colored beverages or meals too often. Curry, soy sauce, coffee, tea, colored soft drinks, red wine, mango, raspberry, and other colorful meals and beverages should be consumed in moderation because they stain the teeth due to tannins, a compound found in all these items. When you do partake, be sure to drink plenty of water to help rinse tannins away.

3. Cut Out the Cigarettes

Like colored foods and beverages, the component in cigarette smoke created by burning causes discoloration of the teeth. This is especially true after teeth whitening therapy. Quitting smoking will improve your dental and heart health in potentially life-saving ways, so let your beautiful smile be an extra source of inspiration.

4. Schedule Regular Checkups

Seeing the dentist twice a year for a checkup is another "rule" that's shared often, but it's all too easy to let go of this practice when you're busy. Additionally, some people are apprehensive about going to the dentist, so they may put off going. However, this is an essential supplement to your daily oral hygiene routine because any plaque that's hardened into tartar will need to be removed by a professional. That makes the dentist a major part of maintaining a bright smile even between teeth whitening appointments.

For help keeping your teeth white and healthy, turn to S. Jill Spurlin, DMD in Enterprise, AL. Dr. Spurlin and her team offer patients of all ages dental services, including teeth whitening, routine teeth cleaning, oral exams, dentures, tooth extractions, and more. During these treatments, Dr. Spurlin employs preventive care, striving to educate patients on the best oral hygiene practices with a gentle and compassionate approach. Call the practice at (334) 475-2624 today to schedule an appointment and learn more about this experienced professional online.