Getting the Most out of Teeth Whitening Treatments

Teeth whitening treatments are a non-invasive way to improve the whiteness of your teeth. These treatments can transform a drab smile into a fabulous one in as little as 60 minutes. Professional whitening treatments performed under the supervision of a dentist are the way to go since these are done using significantly more concentrated whitening products that are not sold over-the-counter.

Teeth become stained as a result of the many things they come in contact with daily. The tannins – coloring agents – in beverages like coffee and foods like beets can leave teeth discolored and stained. Habits like smoking also leave teeth covered with brown stains. Also, teeth tend to turn yellow as a person ages due to thinning enamel.

Teeth remain exposed to these things after teeth whitening treatments, so it is only a matter of time before new stains and discoloration begin to form on teeth. Fortunately, various things can be done to keep teeth looking white and shiny long after your whitening treatment.

Maintaining the results of your teeth whitening treatment

Here are some simple things patients can do to keep their teeth pearly white after teeth whitening treatments:

1. Practice good oral hygiene

Good oral hygiene helps to keep plaque and tartar away from teeth surfaces. Tartar is calcified plaque and it is more vulnerable to staining than teeth surfaces. Tartar also gives teeth a yellow tint. Good oral hygiene includes brushing a minimum of two times each day and flossing once daily. Mouthwash can be used to help clean the areas brushing and flossing miss.

2. Brush with whitening toothpaste

This can help to get rid of new surface stains as they begin to form on teeth. These products contain ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or baking soda which lifts stains off teeth surfaces. Whitening toothpaste should only be used once or twice per week to avoid weakening teeth enamel.

3. Rinse after meals

The coloring agents in foods and beverages like beets and tea are one of the biggest contributors to stains forming on teeth. Dentists recommend brushing or, at a minimum, rinsing the mouth with water after consuming things that stain teeth to reduce their staining effect. Their consumption should also be kept to a minimum.

4. Get maintenance treatments

Maintenance treatments help to remove new stains and discoloration before they ruin the aesthetics of a person’s smile. At-home whitening kits provided by dentists are great for this. These kits contain bleaching agents that are more concentrated than anything sold over-the-counter, but they are not as concentrated as the products used for in-office whitening. This leads to a gentler type of whitening that works well for maintaining the results of teeth whitening treatments. These at-home kits can be used as needed to keep teeth looking pearly white long after teeth whitening treatments.