Drinking coffee, smoking, and eating foods with a lot of seasoning are all seemingly innocent habits, but they can darken your smile over time. For that reason, many patients come to our dental office looking for effective teeth whitening in Knoxville, TN.
However, whitening treatments need to be properly spaced out—if not, you can weaken your teeth's enamel over time, leaving it more prone to bacteria and tooth decay. To help you avoid that, here are some tips on making your whitening results last until you can safely attend your next appointment.
5 Tips for Making Your Whitening Results Last Longer
1. Perform a Dental Cleaning Beforehand
You have probably heard your dentist repeatedly stress the importance of regular dental cleanings. But you may not have known that cosmetic dentists love this treatment as well because it allows us to offer more noticeable and long-lasting results.
Stains are more often than not plaque accumulations that darken over time, impacting the appearance of your smile. Moreover, plaque present during a whitening procedure can lead to uneven results. For that reason, we recommend our patients get a thorough cleaning before their whitening appointment.
2. Avoid Staining Foods the First 48 Hours
Do you know how whitening procedures work? Our teeth are porous, so materials in whitening solutions like hydrogen peroxide penetrate the enamel and break down these stains, offering a whiter look.
Nevertheless, for the same reason, drinking coffee, tea, or any staining foods right after a whitening treatment can darken your teeth. If you must have these drinks, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth and rinse with water immediately after.
3. Maintain a Good Oral Hygiene Routine
Establishing a consistent daily oral care routine is one of the most effective ways to maintain your teeth whitening results. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice daily with a whitening toothpaste containing fluoride and flossing daily to prevent plaque buildup.
Incorporating an alcohol-free, fluoride mouthwash into your routine can further protect against cavities and strengthen enamel.
4. Stay Hydrated and Drink Water Frequently
Drinking plenty of water helps rinse away food particles and keep your mouth fresh. This will prevent stains from settling on your teeth, keeping your results for longer while ensuring the health of your overall body, too.
5. Quit Smoking
In addition to being bad for your general health, smoking can negatively affect how your smile looks. The tar and nicotine in tobacco products can discolor your teeth and leave difficult-to-remove stains, negating the results of teeth-whitening procedures.
Giving up smoking is crucial for keeping your smile white and bright and is also good for your oral health.
Keep the Results of Your Teeth Whitening in Knoxville, TN, for Longer and Protect Your Smile!
Your smile is often one of the first things others see about you, so wanting it to look its best makes sense. In addition to these preventative measures, routine dental touch-ups will help you maintain the results of your teeth whitening procedure and keep your smile looking new for years.
To keep your smile looking its best, your dentist can evaluate the state of your teeth during these visits and apply additional whitening procedures as necessary. If you believe you're due to one, contact Brian Rich DMD today!
