Have you recently had your teeth professionally whitened? Many people choose to get whitening treatment from their dentist because it tends to be more effective. Now that your teeth are shades whiter and you’re happy with your smile, how can you keep it that way?
This is a common question many patients have. When you invest in teeth whitening treatment, you want lasting results so you don’t have to do it again for a long time. In order to achieve lasting results, here are some tips for caring for your smile after teeth whitening.
Use a Touch-Up System
Many teeth whitening systems come with touch-up treatments you can do at home to keep your teeth looking white. These are often less concentrated versions of the whitening agent your dentist uses on your teeth during the initial treatment. Take-home whitening systems often include plastic trays that are custom made to fit your teeth so that the bleaching gel can be applied evenly. Follow your dentist’s instructions for home treatments and you’ll keep your teeth looking white.
Avoid or Cut Back on Food and Drinks that Stain Your Teeth
What you eat plays a big part in discoloring your teeth. Coffee, tea, red wine, grape juice, dark soft drinks, and foods with artificial dyes are some of the most common stain-causing foods and drinks. Avoid these if you want to keep your teeth as white as possible. But if you simply must have your morning coffee or tea and a glass or two of red wine now and then, it won’t necessarily ruin your results. But you could consider brushing your teeth after eating or drinking one of these stain-causing items to keep the residue from just sitting on your teeth and soaking in.
Follow Good Oral Hygiene Habits
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day as well as flossing will keep your teeth healthy. Brushing helps to remove food particles and plaque that could stain your teeth. Flossing removes food and plaque from between your teeth, which helps keep them healthy. Healthy teeth don’t pick up stains as much because the enamel is stronger and more stain-resistant. Avoid smoking and other tobacco products that tend to stain teeth.
Get a Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth
You may have a slight bit of tooth sensitivity after a whitening treatment, which is normal. Professional whitening treatments tend to be much easier on your teeth than the ones you buy in the store. But either way, consider using a sensitive teeth toothpaste for a few days to a few weeks after whitening. This helps to make the teeth feel less sensitive to heat or cold. If your gums feel sore or inflamed after whitening, try rinsing with salt water.
Teeth Whitening at Savannah Dental Solutions
Now that you’ve learned some tips for caring for your smile after teeth whitening, you might be ready to give it a try. If you want teeth whitening treatment that will give you dramatic results that last, Savannah Dental Solutions uses the KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching System. We have seen excellent, natural looking results in our patients who report a high level of satisfaction with the treatment and are pleasantly surprised with how long their results have lasted. You don’t have to give up coffee, tea, or other foods and drinks you love.
Call (912) 354-1366 or contact us to schedule a teeth whitening consultation. We look forward to helping you brighten your smile.
