Maintaining Results From Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments

A bright, white smile is one of the best ways to make a lasting impression on new and old acquaintances. And after months of covering your smile with a mask, it's once again time to invest a little time and money into achieving perfect, white teeth. 

Follow these simple dental tips for the best ways to whiten and how to maintain your beautiful results from professional whitening treatments. 

Perform At-Home Whitening Touchups 

Using at-home whitening products such as whitening trays at home is an effective way of brightening and whitening your teeth by several shades, all from the convenience of your bathroom. If you've recently had a professional whitening treatment done with the dentist, using home whitening kits can help keep your teeth that bright dentist white. 

When having professional whitening treatments performed, ask your dentist what they recommend for at-home touch-ups. Your trusted dentist should consider your personal needs and the health of your teeth to ensure you're whitening both safely and effectively. 

Tips For Avoiding Stains and Discoloration 

There are plenty of things you can do from the comforts of home to keep your teeth healthy and white. 

Use a Whitening Toothpaste

Using toothpaste with specific whitening agents is a great way to gradually whiten your teeth or help keep them white after a treatment. Look for a toothpaste that specifies whitening on the label. 

Brushing After Mealtime

Proper oral hygiene is essential in maintaining a healthy, white smile. Brushing your teeth after every meal (or stain-causing beverage such as coffee or red wine) will help keep harmful stain-causing bacteria from sticking to the surfaces of your teeth, causing discoloration. Brush at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush. 

Don't Skip the Floss

Regularly flossing is a crucial step in proper oral hygiene care. Flossing regularly will decrease cavities and will help food particles from sticking in places where your toothbrush can't reach. 

Smoking 

Not only is smoking and the use of tobacco products harmful for your heart and lungs, but it's also bad for your teeth, gums, and mouth. Smoking causes bad breath, tooth discoloration, increased plaque and tartar buildup, gum disease, and more. Even smokeless vapor tobacco products can wear down your teeth and gums, exposing the roots of your teeth and increasing the risk of tooth decay. 

Pay Attention To Your Diet 

Over time, exposure to certain foods and drinks dark in pigment will gradually darken your newly whitened teeth. Everything that passes through your mouth on its way into your stomach has to travel through your teeth to do so. When you consume high sugar and acidity foods, those foods leave behind cavity-causing bacteria that lead to tooth decay. 

Try incorporating these healthy teeth-friendly foods into your daily lifestyle:

• Chicken
• Cheese
• Nuts
• Milk
• Fresh fruits
• Fresh vegetables

It's also wise to limit beverages that are known to stain the teeth's surface, including:

• Coffee
• Dark-colored soda
• Red wines
• Dark-colored juices

Improve Your Oral Hygiene

If your dentist is known for finding tooth decay and other dental issues at your exams, it's time to freshen up on your oral hygiene routine by:

Checking your technique: If you brush your teeth in under a minute, you're not taking the time needed to reach all of your tooth surfaces. To get a proper cleaning, brush the outward-facing, tongue-facing, and chewing surfaces of your teeth and use special attention on your back molars. 

Schedule Regular Dental Cleanings and Exams

Regular dental check-ups twice a year are the easiest way to maintain healthy, white teeth. Your dentist can clean your teeth more thoroughly than you can do alone with your toothbrush and floss, all while checking for cavities, gingivitis, and plaque buildup. Catching dental issues early keeps them small and inexpensive. 

For more information on the best techniques for whitening your teeth at home or for tips on how to keep a professionally whitened smile bright, ask Elite Dental & Denture PC at your next cleaning and exam.