How to Extend the Results of Teeth Whitening

Do you know someone who has a particularly beautiful smile? While a lot of things go into a cute smile — like dimples, eye crinkles, and straight teeth — it’s a set of gleaming pearly whites that really pulls everything together. While that smile may seem carefree, a lot of work can go into keeping your teeth white. 

Many different products aim to help you get great-looking teeth; whitening toothpastes and over-the-counter gels, rinses, strips, and trays chief among them. But for a long-lasting and truly bright smile, you’ll need to hit the dentist chair. A professional cleaning can keep your smile white and stain-free for months or even years.

There’s no doubt that a professional whitening provides the most natural and long-lasting color available. However, such a high-quality smile comes at a higher price as well. With that in mind, you may want to extend the results of your investment for as long as possible. By following a few rules, you can protect your teeth and keep them shiny for a long time.

Ready to take your smile to the next level? Edward Scammon, DMD, and the rest of our team at Hometown Family Dental Centers can help you achieve the bright smile you deserve. With seven dentists spread over three offices, we provide any dental need you may have. From regular cleanings to implants and fillings, we’ve got you covered.

A good smile really does go a long way

Smiling is a key part of expressing yourself. Research shows that smiling can actually make you and those around you happier. In fact, a recent Hexa Research study showed that 99.2% of people believe that a good smile has important social benefits. That equates to a teeth whitening industry that’s worth over $7.4 billion.

Protecting your investment

General upkeep is an easy way to make sure your teeth stay white. You should already be brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day, but it’s not a bad idea to add more brushing. Brushing after every meal may not be necessary, but you should brush after eating colorful or staining foods.

On the product side of things, you can supplement your professional whitening with a whitening or fluoride toothpaste. Add in an antiseptic mouthwash at least once a day to finish off the protective measures. 

Also, make sure that you keep up with your bi-yearly cleanings. Your hygienist at Hometown Family Dental Centers will make sure the cleaning helps extend the result of your whitening.

Things to Avoid

If we all drank only water and ate white food products, our teeth would probably dull much slower. Unfortunately, some of our favorite foods and drinks stain our teeth over time. In the first few days after your whitening, make sure to avoid especially staining foods like coffee, tomato sauce, and red wine. Overall, you may want to try subbing out these foods in favor of less staining foods. 

If you can’t give up your morning coffee or nightly glass of red, think about using a straw. This will help you avoid some staining as the liquid bypasses your front teeth before it enters your mouth. For staining food, swish water through your mouth after a bite to wash away any residue. Finally, this should be a given, but smokers and those who use other tobacco products won’t get long-lasting results. Tobacco is just too staining.

At Hometown Family Dental Centers, we can make your smile shine. It all starts with a call to one of our three locations to schedule your appointment for professional teeth whitening or other needed services. Call or request an appointment online today.