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Dental health maintenance
We would all like to have a brighter and more confident smile, and teeth whitening can help achieve this goal. However, to secure long-lasting benefits and prolong the effectiveness of the treatment, it is important to pay attention to proper aftercare and thorough dental hygiene. These will minimise problems such as staining and discolouration and will go a long way to keeping your newly whitened teeth shiny and bright.
Keep them white but with a sip
Teeth whitening, although not a permanent procedure, can have exceptional results lasting anywhere from a few months to several years. The truth is, results will vary depending on what you eat and drink on a daily basis, how diligent you are with your dental health regimen, and your natural, individual tooth colour before bleaching. Coffee, tea and red wine lovers beware! These products all contain tannins which will stain your teeth and cause the lightening effect to fade more quickly. Additionally, it is important to mention that smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products can lead to noticeable staining, even following a teeth whitening procedure.
When food gives you colours, hold off
Professional teeth cleaning can be relied on to get rid of superficial stains. Nevertheless, after having a teeth whitening procedure, it is advisable to limit the amount of teeth-staining foods in your diet or avoid them altogether, at least for the first 24 to 48 hours. During these hours immediately following the procedure, teeth are more prone to staining.
A number of factors can make it difficult for tooth enamel to battle stains – the presence of sugar and acidity in grape, blueberry and cranberry juices, for example, or the intense colouring in cola, beetroot, cherries and dark chocolate. Oh, and don’t let’s forget, of course, the strong, deep colourings in tomato-based sauces, balsamic vinegar and soy sauce, nor the bright yellow turmeric in your favourite curry!
Rinsing or brushing your teeth immediately after eating or drinking will help remove bacteria and bits of food that might contribute to staining, and avoiding smoking will also reduce the risk of discolouration.
Every step you take reduces discoloration
One of the most common dental procedures worldwide involves bleaching discoloured teeth. People who drink red wine or smoke cigarettes in particular are more likely to have their teeth stained or to notice that their natural enamel and composite resin fillings do not match in colour. Unfortunately, even professional whitening treatments may not be able to fix the colour difference in the latter instance, though in-office professional treatments should produce better results than at-home sessions. That’s why it is important to get into the habit of caring for your teeth at an early age, to prevent and reduce staining before it occurs.
A natural process
The bottom line is that, whether we like it or not, the white enamel that protects our teeth will gradually deteriorate with age, exposing the layers of yellow dentin beneath. This unfortunate natural process can be exacerbated by our personal habits and may result in yellowish-brown spots, or broad regions of discolouration, or both. Therefore it stands to reason that we should all pay due attention to oral hygiene at all stages in our lives, in order to enjoy significantly whiter teeth in the future.
Brush up on your dental care
To summarise, in order to enjoy the full benefits of a professional teeth whitening procedure, you’ll need to pay proper attention to routine oral hygiene. At a minimum, this means both children and adults brushing at least twice daily for two whole minutes with fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once to remove plaque and tartar build-up from hard-to-reach areas. Make sure to use the right sort of toothbrush for you. Regular brushing and flossing not only keeps your mouth healthy but also helps with the long-term preservation of whitening treatments, and you’ll be doing a favour to your gums and teeth in general.
Your teeth in expert hands
One of the most effective methods to maintain the longevity of your cosmetic teeth whitening is to schedule regular cleanings with your dental specialist. Even if you have excellent dental hygiene, your dentist and their team of experts can provide an additional and more intense polish to enhance that perfect smile.
