When it comes to keeping your teeth white -- including after having them professionally whitened by a dentist -- one thing that you have to worry about is the things that you drink. After all, many beverages can cause staining on your teeth.

1. Avoid Brightly Colored Drinks

The best way to prevent beverages from staining your teeth is to avoid drinking drinks in bright or dark colors in the first place. Tea, coffee, fruit punch, and red wine, for example, can all leave discoloration on your teeth. Water is the best thing to drink for your teeth and your overall health, but if you aren't in the mood for water, going with clear soda or white wine can be a better choice, since although they can be acidic and can cause damage to your teeth, they are much less likely to actually stain them.

2. Use a Straw

Using a straw is one of the best ways to protect your teeth from becoming stained, and it can also help protect them from the acids in the beverages that you think. This is because your straw can help your drink bypass your teeth. This is particularly important if you do choose to drink sodas or brightly colored drinks, but it can be smart for protecting your teeth if you're drinking any beverage other than water. Plus, isn't it always more fun to use a straw when you're drinking just about anything?

3. Rinse

It is always a good idea to rinse your mouth out after you eat or drink anything; it can help get rid of any discoloration to help prevent staining and can help get rid of food particles, too. Rinsing your mouth out in the sink is going to be the most effective, but if this is not an option, simply sipping on a glass of water after drinking another type of beverage can help freshen up your mouth and get rid of any remnants of the other drink that you consumed. Plus, getting in the habit of drinking water regularly can also help you ensure that you stay properly hydrated. 

If you are worried about keeping your teeth white, then being careful about the beverages that you drink is important. This is because drinks can be the most likely to cause your teeth to stain. Luckily, if you follow these three tips, you can help keep your teeth nice and white.