When you get your teeth professionally whitened at your dentist's office, the results can be amazing! But even a professional grade whitening treatment will not last forever. Luckily, there are several ways to keep your teeth as bright as possible after a whitening treatment. If you plan to visit your dentist to have your teeth whitened, remember the following tips:

Try to Avoid Food and Drinks That Stain Teeth

Common foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea, dark soda, wine, berries, and sauces like soy sauce and tomato sauce, are known to discolor and stain teeth. If you want to keep your newly whitened teeth looking their best, try to avoid these items. If you are not able to stay clear of these foods and drinks, use a straw when drinking liquids that stain, and either brush your teeth or swish water in your mouth after eating foods that are known to discolor teeth. 

Don't Smoke

Smoking cigarettes is a surefire way to discolor your newly whitened teeth. If you are a smoker, it is best to try to quit if you want to keep your teeth looking great. Smoking is a very difficult habit to quit, but try to think about the money that you invested to have your teeth whitened, and the excellent results, to motivate you to kick the cigarettes. As you know, not only will your teeth thank you, so will your heart and lungs.

Up Your Oral Hygiene

If you're going to spend the time and money to get your teeth whitened, there is no excuse not to have excellent oral hygiene. Floss your teeth daily, and brush often with a whitening toothpaste to keep your teeth looking as good as they did the hours after your professional whitening treatment. You may also want to use a whitening mouthwash, which can help keep your teeth from discoloring. 

Use Over the Counter Whitening Kits

The strongest teeth whitening agents available are used by dentists, and you most likely will not get the same results from an at-home whitening kit. But after you have your teeth whitened by your dentist, the over the counter kits can be useful in helping you maintain the new bright shade of your teeth. Before using any at-home whitening kit after professional teeth whitening, consult your cosmetic dentist, such as at New Image Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, to ensure that you pick one that will not damage your teeth or cause sensitivity. Your dentist may recommend that you wait a certain amount of time before using over the counter whitening kits to maintain the color of your teeth after a professional whitening treatment.