The reason many people opt for teeth whitening treatments is to get a whiter smile. Although undergoing the treatment is necessary to get desired results, your activities afterward are just as important to maintain your teeth’s whiteness. In this article, you will learn tips on how to keep your teeth white after the whitening procedure.
Teeth whitening procedures cost money, so it is reasonable to want to ensure the results last a long time. Often, the first 48 hours after treatment are crucial, so patients need to pay attention to what they do in that time. Below are steps to take to preserve the results of a teeth whitening procedure:
Some types of food can stain the teeth and should be avoided, especially in the first few hours after treatment. Some of the foods include tea and coffee, fruit juice, dark chocolate, dark-colored sauces, and acidic food such as oranges, lemons and other citrus foods. As a basic rule, it is better to shun foods or drinks that can stain a white shirt.
A good idea for those who cannot avoid dark-colored drinks would be to use straws instead of drinking directly from the cup. This will minimize contact between the drink and the teeth. The alternative is to eat white-colored vegetables, colorless drinks, white meat and non-acidic fruits.
The importance of good oral hygiene is something everyone learns from childhood. After teeth whitening treatment, it becomes more imperative to stick to a hygienic oral routine to ensure lasting results. For optimal results, patients are advised to brush their teeth at least twice daily and floss at least once to remove plaque. The use of antiseptic mouthwash to rinse the mouth is also advisable, as it will help reduce and inhibit bacteria responsible for plaque accumulation.
Also, patients can use a good whitening toothpaste for up to three days per week. This can be a form of basic touch-up to eliminate stains that may have accumulated over time. It will also contribute to preventing teeth discoloration. On other days, regular toothpaste is good enough to keep the teeth clean.
Regardless of the type of whitening treatment – professional or at-home – and a routine of healthy diet and lifestyle, it is impossible for the results of a teeth whitening treatment to last a lifetime. Patients can consider undergoing touch-up treatments biannually or thereabout, even for professional treatments. The touch-ups are necessary to restore the smile’s natural luster, since foods and drinks will still gradually fade off the results.
An effective way to ensure the teeth’s whiteness lasts a long time is to visit the dentist regularly for a checkup and dental cleaning. During a routine checkup appointment, the dentist or dental hygienist will perform deep cleaning to remove plaque or tartar that may have built up over the teeth. These routine visits are vital to ensure that the teeth stay white for a long time after a whitening treatment.
Teeth whitening may not have permanent results, but you can take steps to ensure your teeth stay white for a long time. Book an appointment with your dentist to learn more about ways to keep your teeth white.
Request an appointment here: https://www.petersmrecekdds.com or call Peter T. Smrecek Jr. DDS Inc. at (949) 759-8606 for an appointment in our Newport Beach office.
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