Make the results of your whitening treatment last by watching your diet and sticking to good hygiene habits.
If you have had your teeth professionally whitened — or are considering treatment — you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to maintain the results of the process and enjoy a brighter smile for longer. While a professional whitening treatment achieves excellent results, it is important to understand that it is not a permanent procedure. Follow-ups are recommended from time to time. That said, there are certainly a few things you can do to keep stains at bay and make the most of your treatment. Here are our top tips for maintaining your results for as long as possible…
1. Limit stain-causing beverages
Unfortunately, some of the most popular beverages can cause stains and discolouration on the surface of the teeth. These include coffee, tea, soft drinks, and red wine. In order to maintain the results of your professional whitening treatment for as long as possible, you should limit your consumption of these drinks. If you enjoy the occasional dark or acidic beverage, it is worth drinking it through a straw, especially in the first few days following your whitening treatment. By drinking through a straw, it is possible to minimise the amount of liquid that touches your teeth, which will reduce the risk of stains.
It’s also a good idea to drink some water after enjoying a stain-causing beverage. It will help wash away some of the staining compounds, plus it’s good for your overall oral health to stay hydrated.
2. Brush after eating and drinking
If you eat or drink something that could cause stains on the surface of your teeth, you should brush your teeth afterwards. The longer your teeth are exposed to dark pigments, the more likely stains are. It’s worth carrying a toothbrush with you when you’re out and about so you can freshen up after a snack. Just be sure to wait at least half an hour if you have consumed something particularly acidic, such as a cup of coffee. If you brush too soon, you could actually harm your enamel.
3. Go for regular cleans
One of the best ways to maintain a bright smile after whitening treatment is to see your dentist for regular professional cleans. At these appointments, your dentist will polish your teeth to get rid of any surface stains and ensure that any plaque or tartar build-up is removed.
It’s also a good idea to practice proper oral hygiene at home daily. By brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, it is possible to get rid of plaque. It tends to attract staining compounds from foods and drinks. Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush at least twice a day and floss daily to maintain optimal oral health. It will also prevent discolouration from affecting the appearance of your smile.
How can we help?
At Beenleigh Marketplace Dental, we offer a range of cosmetic treatments, including teeth whitening treatments. If your teeth are stained or dull and you would like to brighten the overall appearance of your smile, we encourage you to come and see us to discuss your treatment options. We offer a choice of in-office teeth whitening and take-home teeth whitening. Both of these options achieve excellent results and are suitable for most patients. We recommend you to let us assess your oral health before you go ahead with either procedure.
To find out more about the teeth whitening treatments we provide at Beenleigh Marketplace Dental, please have a look here.
We also offer a comprehensive range of other dental services — to see our full scope of treatments, please have a look here.
If you would like to arrange a consultation with us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch here or give us a call on (07) 3801 8799.