Professional tooth whitening is effective but not permanent. During your consultation, your dentist discusses its limitations to help you set realistic expectations.
The good news is there are ways to keep your confident smile longer. Let’s talk about what to do after leaving the dental office so you can fully enjoy the results of your treatment.
Learn how to keep your teeth white, from the everyday habits that must be avoided to the simple steps that can make your pearly whites pristine for as long as possible.
Keeping Your Smile Stain-Free
Staining agents, whether from your everyday cup of coffee or the glass of red wine you had for supper, have a sneaky way of penetrating the porous enamel. These highly pigmented substances, known as chromogens, adhere to the enamel and accumulate, causing your teeth to lose luster.
Professional whitening procedures, which frequently include hydrogen peroxide, are designed to penetrate the enamel and oxidize the stains, breaking them down to reveal a whiter, brighter smile. However, the porous nature of your refreshed enamel means new stains can soon settle in, dulling its shine.
Reinforcing Your Daily Oral Routine
A consistent and effective oral hygiene practice is the first step in protecting your sparkling teeth.
Brushing twice a day, flossing to eliminate plaque between teeth, and scraping the tongue to minimize bacterial accumulation are all helpful practices. But how does this extend the life span of your whitening results?
When you skip a day of thorough cleaning, plaque and tartar develop, creating a rough surface for stains to adhere to. Plaque hardens into tartar, which is difficult to remove and can only be treated by a dental professional.
Brushing and flossing regularly prepares your teeth for daily exposure to stain-causing agents like food debris.
Choosing the Right Tools
Not all toothbrushes and kinds of toothpaste are created equal, particularly in terms of whitening.
Electric toothbrushes are frequently advised for people who want to keep their teeth white. In addition, toothpaste containing abrasive ingredients, such as activated charcoal, may aid in gently removing shallow surface stains.
Consult your dentist to learn about safe and suitable product options for your newly-whitened smile.
Making Dietary Adjustments
The saying, "You are what you eat" is especially applicable in oral care. Highly colored foods and beverages, such as berries, curries, and your favorite cup of morning coffee, might stain your clean white teeth.
Consciously adopting these dietary adjustments can make a huge impact:
- Use a straw when drinking stain-causing beverages to minimize contact with your teeth.
- Drink water before or after consuming staining foods and beverages to remove pigments and keep them from settling in.
- Snack on crunchy vegetables with natural cleansing properties, such as apples and carrots.
Taking Caution with Potentially Harmful Habits
Quitting smoking is the most effective measure to keep your white smile.
Tobacco in any form is a known tooth irritant. The nicotine concentration can stain teeth a tenacious yellow, while the tar in cigarettes can cause brown discoloration.
Alcohol intake can also reduce the brilliance of your teeth. Regular drinking can damage enamel, making stains more likely to stick. Moderation is therefore essential.
Ensuring Regular Check-Ups
It's crucial to schedule bi-annual dental check-ups after getting teeth whitening. Your dentist can provide professional cleanings to eliminate accumulated stains and diagnose any problems that may be causing or increasing discoloration.
Additionally, your dentist may offer touch-up treatments to keep your ideal tooth color. These may include at-home remedies such as gels and trays, or in-office treatments if the whitening has considerably faded.
Hydrating with Water
Saliva is a natural cleaning agent. It helps to regulate the pH in your mouth and removes food particles that can discolor the teeth.
Staying hydrated by drinking enough water promotes saliva production, which helps keep the mouth clean and removes staining chemicals.
Be On Your Way to Brighter, More Confident Smiles
Your smile is your first impression. Make it memorable and dazzling.
A clean set of teeth is a wonderful investment, and the effort necessary to maintain it is minor compared to the satisfaction it offers. By incorporating these simple yet powerful steps into your daily routine, you can extend the benefits of your professional whitening procedure.
Consistency is crucial. Habits are created via repetition, and the more you include these tips into your daily routine, the more easily they’ll become second nature.
To schedule a consultation with a dentist in Grand Prairie, Alberta, contact us at Generations Dental.
For more than 30 years, we’ve helped our neighbors achieve healthier, more beautiful smiles. Let’s work together to create a better version of yours too. Call us today to receive booking assistance.