There are many things that you can do to maintain a healthy and white smile. However, sometimes you just need that extra "oomph" to really make your smile pop! When that's the case, you may decide to talk to your dentist about professional teeth whitening. If you do decide to undergo the treatment, it is important to understand that there are steps that you need to take following the treatment to ensure that your beautifully white teeth remain, well, dazzling! You see, immediately after the treatment your teeth will be more porous and susceptible to staining. With that being said, here are a few tips to help keep your teeth sparkling white following your treatment.
Tip #1: Avoid Foods and Beverages that Can Stain
For a couple of days after your teeth whitening treatment, it is imperative that you avoid all staining foods and beverages. This includes coffee, soda, red wine, black tea, blueberries, grapes, tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, soy sauce, etc. If you do end up consuming any staining foods or beverages, it is important that you brush and rinse as soon as possible after consumption.
Once the first couple of days have passed, you will still want to try to avoid these same foods and beverages as much as possible. The more you can avoid them, the longer the whitening treatment will last. If you must consume them, follow the same rule as above: brush and rinse as soon as possible afterward.
Tip #2: Use a Straw
If you are simply one of those individuals that can't stand the taste of water or can't go without at least a cup of coffee or can of soda a day, then make sure that you at least use a straw. This will place the beverage toward the back of the mouth and away from the teeth, which will help to minimize the risk of staining.
Tip #3: Rinse Regularly with a Whitening Mouthwash
After each meal and/or snack, you may not always be able to brush your teeth. When this is the case, try to rinse your mouth out. Rather than using only water to rinse your mouth, you should opt for a whitening mouthwash. This will help to reduce the risk of staining by rinsing away food particles and bacteria left behind in the mouth. However, please keep in mind that rinsing with a whitening mouthwash is no substitute for brushing and flossing your teeth.
Up until a year ago, I did my best to keep my teeth and gums clean. But after securing a new job, I began to work late into the night and didn't have the time or energy to brush and floss before I retired to bed. My busy schedule and poor dental hygiene finally affected my teeth and gums. After experiencing severe pain in several of my teeth, I made an appointment with my dentist. My dentist examined my mouth and discovered three large cavities in my molars. After four long weeks, my dentist finally completed my dental work. I learned a very painful lesson during that time. No matter how busy you are, always brush and floss. I started this blog to inform other people about the importance of good dental care. I hope you find the time to read it. Thanks for visiting.