A professional teeth whitening treatment can cost hundreds of dollars, so it makes sense that you would want to do everything in your power to protect your results! One step you can take is to eat the right foods. This blog posts discusses some tasty snacks that can help to keep your smile bright and healthy.
Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
Items like apples, celery, and carrots contain tons of micronutrients that can support your overall health, but their benefits go even further. They have a crunchy texture that can help to scrub plaque and bacteria off your teeth. Chewing them also stimulates saliva production, which can rinse away plaque and food particles.
Oranges and Pineapples
Oranges, pineapples, and other acidic fruits can stimulate saliva production, which is great for keeping dental stains at bay. However, a word of caution is in order; you should not overdo it on acidic fruits because overconsumption may weaken your enamel.
Cheese
Like other foods on this list, hard cheeses promote the production of saliva. Another bonus of cheese is that it contains calcium, which is important for strong teeth and bones. Plus, most cheeses are not highly pigmented, so the chances of them staining your teeth are minimal.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds have a crunchy texture, which can help to keep your teeth clean and keep your saliva glands working to maintain adequate moisture in your mouth. Plus, nuts and seeds tend to contain lots of nutrients that are good for oral health, such as calcium.
Onions
Many types of onions are almost colorless, so there is no need to worry about them staining your teeth. They also contain sulfur compounds, which may prevent plaque from forming on teeth. An indirect advantage of onions is their odor; since you do not want onion breath, you are very likely to brush and floss after consuming them!
Maintaining Your Results for the Long Run
Even with the most careful eating habits, your teeth will start to incur stains again at some point after your whitening treatment. To keep your smile as bright as possible, you may need to visit your dentist periodically for touch-ups. With the right balance of good food choices and thorough oral care, you may be able to enjoy a dazzling grin for years to come!
Meet the Practice
At Torrington Dental Care, we proudly provide a broad range of services, including professional at-home whitening kits and more. If you feel self-conscious about the color of your teeth, we are ready to help you. We can also give you personalized tips to reduce the formation of new dental stains. To learn more about how we may be able to help you love your smile, contact our friendly staff at 860-259-4073.