You made the decision to whiten your teeth with a professional teeth whitening treatment and you’re thrilled with the results. You smile more confidently and talk without fear of showing stained teeth. How long will this newfound brilliant smile last, you wonder? Are there steps you can take to extend the results of teeth whitening?
Here at Bell Family Dental in Bayside, New York, Dean H Cherpelis, DDS and Frank Pappas, DDS, make your oral health their top priority. The gleaming results of your professional teeth whitening treatment should last anywhere from six months to two years, or even longer. Here, we share our tips for keeping your smile whiter and brighter for as long as possible.
Avoid beverages that cause stains
If you’re a coffee drinker, you’re probably aware that over the years, coffee stains contributed to your yellowing teeth. Once you’ve achieved the desired level of whiteness for your teeth, you’ll want to limit or avoid coffee and tea consumption.
And it’s not just coffee that can stain your teeth. You should also be aware of dark-colored sodas, teas, and red wine. Soda isn’t good for your nutrition or your oral health, so it’s better to drink water anyway. However, if you do drink sodas or iced teas, use a straw so the liquid bypasses your newly white enamel.
If you drink coffee every morning, as many of us do, add cream to minimize the staining effects of black coffee. To reduce the risk of staining your enamel even more, swish fresh water around your mouth after you finish your cup of java. Water can help clean your teeth when you’re not able to brush right away.
Stop smoking
You already know smoking is bad for your lungs, and it’s a big contributor of yellowish, brown teeth stains, as well. If you’ve invested in brightening your smile with professional whitening and always wanted to quit smoking, this is the perfect time to quit. You’ll not only extend the results of your teeth whitening treatment, but you’ll also be improving your oral and overall health.
Brush and floss regularly
You already know this, too, but it’s good to be reminded. Brushing and flossing your teeth each day helps maintain your best oral hygiene and helps keep your teeth white and polished. Removing foods and bacteria that can accumulate on your teeth and cause plaque and tartar buildup will keep your teeth looking their best every day.
Using a whitening toothpaste just once or twice a week can also help prevent yellowing after your initial professional whitening treatment, as well. Dr. Cherpelis and Dr. Pappas can recommend a whitening toothpaste and advise you regarding how often you should use it to remove surface stains from your teeth.
Visit your dentist for regular checkups and professional cleanings
A professional dental cleaning not only keeps your teeth and gums healthy, it also removes the plaque and stains from the surface of your teeth. You should have at least two professional cleanings a year, or more frequently as Dr. Cherpelis and Dr. Pappas recommend. Like your home oral hygiene routine, professional dental checkups and cleanings will help you maintain your healthy, brilliant smile even longer.
Consider a whitening touch-up treatment
Depending on the shade of white you desire, your diet, and your oral hygiene routine, you may want to consider a professional whitening touch-up treatment once or twice a year. This will extend the life of your initial teeth whitening treatment by helping you maintain your brightest smile. You may not need touch-up treatments as frequently, but they’re available should you choose. Dr. Cherpelis and Dr. Pappas can advise you based on your personal needs and oral health.
To learn more about professional teeth whitening treatments, or to schedule an appointment, give our friendly team a call at (718) 224-4646 or contact us online today.