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’Tis the season for parties, photos, vacations, time with family, and more! As you prepare for a busy holiday season, don’t forget to schedule your teeth whitening so your smile is bright, beautiful, and camera-ready! Various forms of whitening, whether via in-office treatment, at-home trays, or over-the-counter products, aren’t permanent. However, there are a few simple post-whitening tips that can help you keep your teeth white after whitening for a longer period of time! Try a combination whitening approachFor the longest-lasting whitening, many dentists recommend a combination of in-office whitening followed by use of an at-home whitening solution. An in-office whitening session can whiten your teeth by several shades in just one appointment, and customized trays and bleach solution can help you keep your pearly whites white longer. Tips to keep your teeth white and bright after whiteningThere are a few simple preventive steps you can take to help maintain your beautiful white smile:
Maintain your smile’s health to keep your teeth whiter, longerIn addition to the preventive measures you can take to avoid staining, it’s vital to keep your smile healthy to help your whitening last as long as possible. Achieve optimum oral health with simple habits:
Additionally, maintain your 6-month checkups and cleanings with your dentist! Regular, professional cleaning and polishing will help keep your teeth white after whitening. During your appointment, your hygienist will polish away surface stains, which will help you avoid discoloration. The dentist will be able to give you personalized recommendations to help you keep your teeth white so you can maintain your gorgeous, confident smile longer! The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. This article contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. 1. Avoid drinking colored beveragesLike most people, you might enjoy a morning cup of coffee or an evening glass of red wine. However, colored beverages can stain your teeth. Choose better alternatives, like clear alcohol, white wine, milk, coconut milk, and water. However, if you can't live without your morning coffee, drink it through a straw to minimize contact with your teeth. 2. Don't eat dark colored foodSimilar to colored beverages, there is also a wide range of food to avoid after whitening your teeth. These include: dark-colored sauces (e.g. tomato or pasta sauce), colorful spices (e.g. curry, turmeric, paprika, etc.), chocolate and colored candy (e.g. M&Ms, Skittles, etc.), and highly pigmented vegetables, fruits, and berries (e.g. beets, tomatoes, pomegranate, etc.) A good rule of thumb is that if it can stain a white shirt, it will stain your teeth. Instead, opt for light-colored food, such as cauliflower, pasta, white fish, cheese, grilled chicken breast, and tofu. 3. Avoid acidic foodDuring the teeth whitening procedure, your tooth enamel is slightly weakened due to the bleach. Beverages and food with high acidic content, such as citrus fruit, pickled food, and processed meats, can further weaken your enamel. This can lead to even more sensitivity and increased risk of re-staining. Stay away from acidic food for at least 48 hours after teeth whitening, to minimize discomfort and protect your freshly whitened smile. 4. Brush your teeth regularlyEven after teeth whitening, you still need to brush your teeth regularly to maintain the pearly white color. Sensitivity is common after teeth whitening, so brush your teeth with a soft bristled tooth brush and a non-abrasive toothpaste. To alleviate sensitivity, also try toothpaste and mouthwash that are specifically made for sensitive teeth. 5. Cut out tobacco useSmoking or chewing tobacco is not just extremely harmful to your health, but is also a major contributor to teeth staining and discoloration. To keep your teeth from re-staining after a teeth whitening treatment, avoid tobacco products, at least for the first few days after whitening. If you are interested in a professional teeth whitening consultation, call our office at (925) 705-7093 or request an appointment online. Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that’s done on patients with discoloured teeth. You could use an at-home tooth whitening kit or visit the dentist to get it done professionally. Home teeth whitening kits usually contain bleaching trays and a re-mineralising paste and are generally more affordable than whitening procedures performed by the dentist. Some DIY kits contain moulds that require you to take an impression of your teeth. These impressions are sent back to the distributor who makes a custom-made tooth whitening tray. Tips to Keep Teeth WhiteAvoid consuming beverages that are known to cause stains. Examples of these are tea, coffee and wine. Highly acidic foods also erode the enamel and change its colour so it’s best to maintain a right diet to keep your teeth looking their pearly best. Smoking is one of the most common causes of tooth discolouration so try reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke if you haven’t quit already. Another thing you can do to prevent your sparkling smile from reverting back to its original state is to brush and floss twice daily. The better the oral hygiene, the fewer the tooth problems you face. This will effectively help to keep your whitening intact. Lastly, use a tooth whitening toothpaste from a reputable brand. These toothpastes remove mild stains, helping you prolong the results of your whitening treatment. Things You Need to Know About Teeth WhiteningAlthough the bleaching chemical works on natural tooth enamel, it doesn’t have a good effect on porcelain crowns or fillings. If your crowns or caps don’t match the colour of the rest of your teeth you might have to get them replaced. Despite taking precautionary measures, your whitened teeth are likely to turn dull or slightly yellowish in colour after one year. You will have to undergo a tooth whitening procedure every couple of years to make sure your smile stays bright and beautiful. Since stains respond differently to the treatment you may also need more than one sitting at the dentist’s clinic to remove stubborn patches.
You could use DIY kits to brighten up your teeth every now and then, but overuse or incorrect use will only do more harm than good. Also, talk to your dental practitioner about the brand you’re thinking of buying so that you make an educated choice. If you want to learn more about teeth whitening treatments, smile makeovers or cosmetic dentistry, visit Randwick Dental Clinic or give us a call on (02) 9314 5226. CONTACT US |