How Best to Preserve Professional Teeth Whitening

Do you want a more attractive smile? You may be looking forward to a social event. Whatever the case, make your smile stand out with professional teeth whitening. It is easy, safe, and quick. 

Professional teeth whitening is an effective way to achieve a whiter, brighter smile. Once you undergo the procedure, you want to maintain the results as long as possible. Just like you want to avoid driving through the mud after having your car washed and detailed, you should take steps to preserve your sparkling, beautiful smile. 

Professional teeth whitening aftercare is essential because the color of your teeth will change over time. Natural teeth cannot stay the same color forever. They turn yellow or darken due to food, drink, and daily habits. Fortunately, the following aftercare tips will help your pearly whites stay brighter longer.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits

The most effective way to maintain professional teeth whitening results is to practice good oral hygiene. Your routine should include brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once daily. That will eliminate bacteria from your mouth and wash away food particles. Your teeth are more likely to remain bright if the tooth enamel stays clean, healthy, and strong. 

Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks

Certain drinks and foods are enemies of white teeth due to their potent staining powers. These include the following:

 

• Sugary drinks and foods
   

• Tea
   

• Coffee
   

• Tomato sauce
   

• White and red wine
   

• Berries

These drinks and foods contain properties that leave stains and break down tooth enamel. That is the last thing you want after undergoing professional whitening.

Consume Foods That Protect Your Teeth

Certain foods are good for your teeth and help them remain dazzling and healthy. Veggies and crunchy fruits packed with water, like apples and celery, help saliva production when you chew them. This helps neutralize acids that erode tooth enamel. The acids make your teeth more susceptible to stains. 

Chewing cheese also helps with saliva production. Furthermore, cheese has phosphorous and calcium that help keep tooth enamel resilient to stains and decay.

Do Not Smoke

It only takes a few months of smoking for cigarette tar and nicotine to stain your teeth, even after professional whitening. Years of smoking can make your teeth turn from yellow to brown. Worse, smoking increases your risk of developing plaque, gum disease, gum infections, and oral cancer. So, it is best to snub the cigarette if you want healthy and pearly white teeth. 

Get Regular Professional Dental Cleanings 

It would be best to visit your dentist John K. See regularly for a checkup and cleaning to maintain good oral health and white teeth. If you recently got a professional whitening treatment, your dentist may recommend quarterly touch-up appointments to keep your teeth looking their best. 

Conclusion

Everyone would love a bright and beautiful smile. However, it is best to remember that professional teeth whitening is no substitute for dental cleanings and exams. Schedule regular appointments with your dentist to keep your smile looking fantastic while maintaining excellent oral health.

For more on professional teeth whitening, visit John K. See, DDS, at our Camarillo, California office. Call (805) 920-8600 to schedule an appointment today.