After you’ve left our office and completed either our in-office or at-home teeth whitening procedure, you’ll feel proud of your smile. In fact, you’ll probably be eager to take the necessary steps to ensure your teeth remain bright. How to you avoid teeth stains? While discoloration can form over time due to a variety of factors, there are steps you can take to ease the severity of future stains.

Frequently Asked Questions About Avoiding Teeth Stains

Question: How often do I brush my teeth?

Answer: Brushing your teeth correctly helps remove food particles and harmful bacteria from your mouth, reducing the severity of future discoloration and plaque buildup. You should actually brush twice a day, once in the morning and again before bed. You need to do so for at least two minutes per session; otherwise you simply are not brushing thoroughly.

Question: Does it matter if I floss my teeth?

Answer: Absolutely. Flossing reaches food particles that the bristles on your brush cannot. By removing food particles, you help reduce the levels of plaque buildup. Not only does limiting plaque reduce the severity of teeth stains, you can also decrease the risk of gingivitis and gum disease.

Question: Will a dental cleaning help my smile stay bright?

Answer: Yes. A dental cleaning is the only way to completely remove dental tartar (plaque mineralized by saliva) from the surface of your teeth. Having your teeth cleaned twice a year brightens your teeth, freshens your breath, and limits the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Question: Do the foods and drinks I consume affect the color of my teeth?

Answer: Yes. For example, drinks with dark pigments (coffee, soda, tea, and red wine) can lead to stains on the surface of the teeth. Certain foods, such as berries, beets, dressings, and candy can also lead to teeth stains. You should always drink water with your meal to help cleanse away staining foods. We also encourage water as an alternative to drinks that contain dark pigments.

ABOUT YOUR WILMETTE DENTIST:

Dr. Brent Engelberg and his highly-skilled team proudly serve patients and their families from Arlington Heights, IL, and all surrounding communities, including; Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, and the Northern and Northwest Chicago Suburbs. To learn more, schedule a consultation online, or call our office today at 847-259-8030.