From custom trays to over-the-counter strips, there are plenty of ways to whiten your teeth. However, no whitening treatment can be expected to last forever – the same compounds that stained your teeth before are going to stain them again. You’ll eventually need to have further treatment if you want to keep your smile looking bright.

That said, there are quite a few ways to make your whitening treatment last a little longer.

Clean Before Treatment

If you want your whitening treatment to stand the test of time, you need to start before rather than after. See your dentist or hygienist for a proper tooth cleaning before you start whitening. They’ll use special tools to provide a more effective clean than you could achieve at home. That means that staining compounds, plaque, and tartar will be removed, and that’s going to improve both the results and longevity of your whitening treatment.

Brush, Floss, and Rinse

Keeping your teeth white shouldn’t be the only reason for sticking to a strong oral health regime – after all, decay and infection are worse issues than discoloration. But it’s worth remembering that skipping out on brushing, flossing, and rinsing gives staining compounds and plaque greater opportunity to ruin your results.

Cut Down on the Coffee and Red Wine

There are quite a few drinks that stain your teeth, but coffee and red wine are probably the worst offenders. Of course, you don’t need to give them up completely, but it’s well worth considering cutting back if you want to keep your smile bright and attractive.

Cut Down on Staining Foods

Again, there are plenty of foods that contain staining compounds, but certain foods wreak greater havoc. In general, you should watch out for foods that are rich in certain pigments. Berries are a good example. Those pigments are rich enough to stain the surface of your teeth and the layers resting just below the surface.