You’ve just completed your teeth whitening treatment, and you’re wondering what you can do to keep your teeth bright. With professional results, you want your bright smile to last. We’re here to help. As your cosmetic dentist office in Fullerton, CA, we want you to know how to keep your results. Certain products can easily stain, yellow, or discolor the tooth enamel. Avoiding these products and staying on top of your oral hygiene are just some ways to keep teeth bright.
Preserving Cosmetic Teeth Whitening
There are many ways you can keep your teeth white after you receive professional teeth whitening treatment:
Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks
Some foods and drinks can stain teeth over time with chromogens, chemical compounds that react with teeth to create yellowed or stained teeth. Wine, coffee, and tea contain tannins that easily darken teeth. Acidic foods and beverages can create tooth sensitivity and affect the outer tooth enamel. Acids can eventually wear down the enamel and expose the dentin beneath the enamel.
Avoid Tobacco
We recommend that patients refrain from smoking cigarettes, vaping, and using other tobacco products after teeth whitening treatment. Tobacco contains nicotine, a substance that easily yellows and stains teeth. Like the chromogens in foods and beverages, nicotine can seep into teeth, creating a darkened or yellow color. Not to mention that tobacco products can cause halitosis or bad breath. Over no time at all, continual tobacco use will reverse the effects of teeth whitening treatment.
Stay Hydrated
We all know that it’s healthy to drink enough water. But did you know that water increases saliva production? Saliva is important to oral health because it washes away harmful bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, saliva can wash away food particles that can stain the teeth.
Brush and Floss
A good oral hygiene routine can help keep your teeth bright. Remembering to brush and floss twice a day can remove food debris and bacterial buildup that can change the color of teeth and even contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. While many patients may not floss, flossing between teeth before brushing can ensure a deeper clean. Flossing removes food debris from between teeth that can potentially stain the teeth.
Get Touch-Ups
Receiving professional teeth whitening touch-ups is one of the best ways to maintain your whitening results. We offer take-home whitening touch-up kits for Boost whitening for patients who receive in-office treatment. Touch-up teeth whitening treatments every six months will keep the teeth white.
Do you have questions about how to keep your teeth bright? Are you interested in professional teeth whitening treatment? Schedule a dental consultation with Dr. Kush Patel online or call Fullerton Craft Smiles for treatment today at (714) 888-7008.