Preventing Dental Stains

Over the years, your teeth can develop unappealing stains. Preventing dental stains is possible but if you already have them, teeth whitening in Arlington, VA, with your dentist, Dr. Bruce Hanley, can brighten your smile.

Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking isn't just good for your teeth, your overall health benefits too. Smoking is a major cause of tooth discolorations and this habit can quickly turn your smile dull and yellow. However, the disastrous effects of smoking on your oral tissues don't stop at teeth stains. Smoking can also damage your taste buds, cause oral cancer, increase your risk of gum disease, and stain your tongue.

Clean Your Teeth After Specific Food and Drinks

Some of your favorite foods and drinks can cause teeth stains. Rinsing your mouth with water or brushing your teeth right after taking such foods can reduce its staining effect on your teeth. Usually, if the food or drink can stain your hands, they're likely to leave a stain on your teeth too. Some foods and drinks that can stain your teeth include:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Red wine
• Blueberries
• Curry
• Pasta sauce
• Soy sauce
• Cranberry juice
• Balsamic vinegar
• Tomato ketchup
• Food coloring

Use a Straw

Giving up your favorite pigmented drinks entirely might not be practical. However, using a straw might help. When you use a straw to take pigmented drinks, you limit their contact with your teeth and reduce their chances of staining your teeth. Reducing your consumption of acidic drinks is also great for your oral health even after you get teeth whitening in Arlington, VA.

Regular Dental Cleanings

If you're not cleaning your teeth at least twice each year at your dentist's office, you're missing out on a brighter smile. During your dental cleaning, your dentist cleans up plaque and tartar that could be causing your dull smile. Your dentist can also clean up surface stains so that your smile remains brilliant.

Preventing teeth stains can help you improve your self-esteem. However, if you still get tooth discolorations, you can reach out to your dentist, Dr. Hanley, for teeth whitening in Arlington, VA, by calling (703) 524-7100.