Your teeth may be discolored because of the drinks and foods that you consume. However, discoloration can also be simply due to age. Regardless of the reason for your dental staining, a teeth-whitening application can help whiten your teeth. 

Most teeth whiteners contain a peroxide-based bleaching agent to bleach stains from the enamel. In-office whitening, which is performed by a dental professional, is the safest and most effective method of teeth whitening.

Even if your teeth are brightened several shades using a dental bleaching solution, your new tooth color must be maintained, or the discoloration may resurface. Here are a few things you can do at home to avoid discoloring your teeth after you have had them whitened:

Avoid highly pigmented foods and drinks.

Some foods and beverages are highly pigmented. Substances, such as coffee and blackberries, may deposit natural pigments onto your tooth enamel as you eat or drink. These pigments can be absorbed into the pores of the enamel to cause dental discoloration. After your teeth have been whitened, you can help preserve their new color by avoiding or limiting the ingestion of darkly colored foods and drinks. If you do choose to eat or drink something that is deeply pigmented, be sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly and brush your teeth immediately after your meal or snack.

Use a whitening toothpaste.

A whitening toothpaste is unable to produce the type of whitening results that are achieved through an in-office whitening session. However, the toothpaste can be used as a preventive measure. After your teeth have been whitened, brush regularly with a whitening toothpaste to prevent new stains.

Use a whitening rinse.

A commercial whitening rinse may also be used to help prevent the re-staining of your teeth. The rinse is applied like mouthwash and spit from the mouth after each use.

A homemade whitening rinse may also be effective. A homemade whitening mouthwash can be made by adding an equal part of water to a hydrogen peroxide solution. Hydrogen peroxide is available for purchase over-the-counter at a concentration of three percent. Although this concentration may be too intense for the sensitive tissues of the mouth, a whitening mouth rinse can be produced by mixing peroxide with an equal amount of water.

The homemade mouthwash can be used in the same manner as some conventional mouthwash. Simply place a spoonful in your mouth and swish it about before releasing it into a sink or trash receptacle. Apply the rinse immediately after brushing your teeth.

To learn more ways to keep your teeth white after having them bleached, schedule an appointment with a cosmetic dentist, such as one from Associates For Family Dentistry, in your area.