While you can have your teeth whitened to remove stains, the best advice you should follow is to do what you can to keep your teeth looking white for as long as possible. This way, you will keep your bright smile much longer, and won't have to sit through the whitening process as often. Learn about some of the best ways you can prolong the whiteness of your teeth here:

Drink from a straw

Aside from when you drink water, you should consider drinking liquids with the use of a straw. Many drinks contain acids or colorings that help to stain your teeth. The more these liquids are allowed to come in contact with your teeth, the more at risk your teeth will be with regards to getting stained. Drinking through a straw will force the liquids past your teeth and straight to the back of your mouth where you can swallow them with minimal tooth contact.

Don't drink artificially colored drinks

When you drink red fruit punch and other drinks that contain artificial colors, you are putting food dye in your mouth. This dye will get on your teeth and can quickly cause them to become stained. You want to be careful drinking anything that isn't a clear or white liquid, such as water or milk, for this reason.

Cut down on foods that are high in acids

Foods that are high in acid content, such as lemons, limes and pasta sauces, can also contribute to an increased level of staining. This is due to the fact that the acids can erode some of the enamel from the surface of your teeth. Thinner enamel will allow the under colors of your teeth to show throw. An added problem that comes with this type of discoloration is regular teeth whitening treatments won't work to correct the issue. Instead, you will more than likely need to have veneers put on to get back your white smile.

Chew sugarless gum regularly

While it may sound like odd advice to suggest for you to start chewing gum regularly, it can also help to prevent teeth staining, as well as fend off cavities. Sugarless gum will pull food particles, bacteria and acids from your teeth, so they won't contribute to staining or cavities.

Following the tips provided to you in this article will help you to keep your teeth looking whiter, so you will feel great about the look of your smile. Contact a dentist, such as Russell M Morrell DMD, for more information about protecting your whitening results.