Tips for Maintaining Teeth Whitening Results
Practice Proper Oral Hygiene
Practicing proper oral hygiene is a crucial part of teeth whitening aftercare. This includes brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once daily, and using an antiseptic mouthwash to kill bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, visiting your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups can help keep your teeth healthy and bright.
Our dentist can also provide tips and advice for maintaining your whitening results based on your needs and concerns.
Use a Whitening Toothpaste
Whitening toothpaste is an effective way to maintain your teeth whitening results. It contains mild abrasives and special ingredients that remove surface stains and prevent new ones from forming.
However, if your teeth have significant staining, a touch-up treatment with your dentist may be necessary. Use this toothpaste as directed and avoid overuse to prevent tooth sensitivity or enamel damage. Be sure to talk to our dentist about the best whitening toothpaste for your needs and how often you should use it to maintain your newly whitened teeth.
Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks
Avoiding foods and drinks that are known to cause staining can help you maintain your teeth-whitening results for longer. Some common staining culprits include coffee, tea, red wine, and dark-colored berries. If you do consume these foods and drinks, rinse your mouth with water afterward and brush your teeth as soon as possible to minimize staining.
Additionally, using a straw to drink beverages can help prevent contact with your teeth and reduce the risk of staining.
Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking can affect your oral health along with the color of your teeth. The nicotine and tar in cigarettes can cause yellowing and staining of the teeth, and smoking can also lead to gum disease and other oral health issues. By quitting smoking, you can help prevent further staining and discoloration of your teeth, and improve the overall health of your mouth.
If you’re struggling to quit smoking, talk to our dentist or healthcare provider for tips and resources to help you quit for good.
Consider Touch-Up Treatments
Over time, your teeth may lose their brightness, even with proper maintenance. If you notice that your teeth are becoming stained or discolored, a touch-up treatment with our dentist can help restore their brightness. Our dentists may use the same professional teeth whitening products or techniques in your initial treatment or recommend a different approach.
Depending on the severity of the staining or discoloration, one or more touch-up teeth whitening treatments may be necessary to achieve the desired results. Talk to our dentist about your options for touch-up treatments and how often you should schedule them to maintain your professional teeth whitening results.