Wondering how to keep stains from developing so your smile stays bright between professional whitening treatments? Wonder no more! Here are two effective ways to get the job done:

Eat Your Way to a White Smile

There are a variety of foods you can incorporate into your diet regularly that will help brighten your teeth between professional whitening treatments and help fight off stains before they even have a chance to form. Consider adding one or more of the following foods to your daily regimen:

• Broccoli – It keeps mouth inflammation to a minimum and helps to scrub and polish your teeth when you eat it. But skip the cooking! For broccoli to effectively clean your teeth, it should be eaten raw. Try putting small pieces in your salads, shredding it and adding it to wraps, or garnishing your stir fry with it.

• Apples – They're high in malic acid, which increases the amount of saliva you helps keep your teeth clean by fighting off plaque. The malic acid is also effective when it comes to removing stains. Eat apple slices with peanut butter, add them to your smoothies, or enjoy them as-is.

• Cheese – Enjoying cheese on a regular basis is an excellent way to ensure that your teeth are getting the vitamins and minerals they need to stay strong and healthy as time goes on. You'll optimize your intake of calcium and protein, both of which will help protect your tooth enamel so stains can't easily form. Put cheese on your sandwiches, enjoy it with fresh fruit as a snack, or top your pasta with it.

Make Use of Essential Oils

Making sure that your teeth and gums are healthy is an integral part of keeping them nice and bright between professional whitening treatments. You can use a variety of essential oils to keep your mouth healthy and your teeth white – try a few of the options listed here:

• Rosemary Oil – Not only does it help prevent bad breath and remove bacteria, but it's also effective in fighting off plaque buildup.

• Tea Tree Oil – It's anti-fungal, antibacterial, and a natural anti-inflammatory. It also features astringent properties that help prevent the development of plaque while stopping bacteria buildup in its tracks.

• Cinnamon Oil – It works as an antiseptic and helps improve blood flow to the gums. You may even find that it promotes the accelerated regeneration of your gums.

Add a drop of essential oil to your toothpaste before you brush, or make your own mouthwash to rinse with by mixing a few drops of your chosen oils into a reusable bottle filled with water. Then rinse after your brush your teeth each day.

Contact a company like Cape Dental Care for more information and assistance.