After your teeth are professionally cleaned during a dental visit, you may love the way your teeth look. In fact, you might wonder how you can keep your teeth looking that great all the time. Luckily, you can use these ideas to ensure your teeth remain bright and white until you get back to the dentist again.

Try Oil Pulling

For many years, as part of Ayurvedic natural medicine, the practice of so-called "oil pulling" has been said to cleanse teeth and gum while providing additional benefits. This practice is simple; all you need to do is swish a bit of oil around inside your mouth for a number of minutes and spit it out. Typically, coconut or sesame oil is used, but sunflower or virgin olive oil can be used as well. People who use this practice report pinker gums and brighter teeth, so give it a try and see what results you have.

Eat the Right Foods

It is surprising to discover that the foods you eat can protect and clean your teeth a bit. For instance, onions might not be great for the breath, but because they contain sulfur, they can offer a layer of protection to your tooth enamel that makes it hard for plaque to take hold. Apple slices can be crunchy tools for encouraging more saliva in your mouth, which can then wash away bacteria so that plaque doesn't form on your teeth.  The malic acid that strawberries contain

Drink with Straws

To protect your teeth, you may want to invest in a few drinking straws and keep them handy. When you want a cup of tea or coffee, slip a straw into the drink and use it so that compounds in those liquids don't end up leaving stains on your teeth.

Brush with Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda is a natural deoderizer and absorbs odors, but it can also keep your teeth bright. The substance can be abrasive, which is good for your teeth because you can scrub plaque and stains off. Just be careful about using baking soda too much; overuse can strip enamel, so restrict use of this substance to once a week or so.

If you're able to use one or all of the suggestions laid out here, your teeth can continue to look as great as they look after a professional dental cleaning. Ask your hygienist and dentist, such as Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, for even more ideas for keeping a sterling white smile.