Whitening your teeth with the SnapWhite™ whitening kit and Daily White™ Fusion™ that comes with your aligners is a great way to whiten your smile, but what can you do to help your new smile stay pearly white even when consuming holiday goodies?
The food you enjoy when celebrating may stain your teeth, or keep them stain-free. Let’s take a look at some foods that keep your teeth clear of stains.
Fruits that contain fiber, such as apples and pears, clean the teeth when they brush up against the surface of the tooth. They freshen breath, too!
Strawberries are not only healthy, but they contain malic acid, which whitens the teeth. They do not penetrate the enamel to provide long-lasting whitening results, but they do help your teeth stay white in the short-term if you eat enough of them.
If you are enjoying wine or champagne this holiday, white wine won’t stain the teeth the way red wine will. However, its acid content can still cause more staining to occur from other food items later, such as coffee, so wine in general is best enjoyed in moderation.
Consuming these items is no substitute for cleaning your teeth, but they are recommended alternatives for anyone hoping to fight stains. Just remember to brush your teeth after eating these, especially before putting your aligners back in!
Now that we have talked about some foods you can eat to fight stains, here are some consumables that it is best to avoid when whitening your teeth.
Cranberries and citrus fruits may be healthy for the body, but the same is not true for the teeth. The citric acid in these fruits erode your enamel, making it easier for stains to set in.
In winter months, you may find yourself enjoying more tea and coffee. While tea stains the teeth more than coffee does, coffee makes any acidic foods you eat afterwards damage your teeth more than they would otherwise. Even herbal tea can cause stains.
If you are a tea or coffee drinker, you can use a to-go lid to minimize the contact that your beverage has with your teeth.
Be sure to enjoy these items in moderation and to brush your teeth after eating. Even with a to-go lid or a straw, take your aligners out before enjoying hot beverages or any beverage other than water.