Finished Whitening Treatment? Here’s What You Need to Do Next!

December 12, 2019

Filed under: Uncategorized — texastoothlady @ 10:57 pm

A woman receiving teeth whitening treatment.When you have a whiter and brighter smile, it’s really quite amazing what confidence you can feel around your friends, family, coworkers and even complete strangers! Of course, you don’t want your teeth whitening to go to complete waste, especially when you spent hard-earned money on it. If you aren’t sure what to do after you get your teeth whitened (as well as what not to do), you’ll want to read these tips from a cosmetic dentist yourself!

 

Do Ask Your Dentist for Advice

Just like how a dentist can help you determine which whitening treatment is right for you, they can also make sure that you’re using the treatment properly (if you opt for take-home versions that is.) They can walk you through the details of managing your smile following the treatment. Not all whitening treatments are created equal, so if you’re transferring dentists and they use different brands, make sure you ask about their differences!

 

 

Don’t Use Harmful Agents to Keep Teeth White

If you’ve heard of home remedies for keeping teeth white, including the application of lemon juice or baking soda, you should know that these can actually damage tooth enamel permanently and should be avoided at all costs. The same goes for “charcoal whitening toothpaste”, which dentists aren’t even sure is safe for your smile in the long-term. In fact, using these products can actually make your teeth more porous, causing them to be more susceptible to stains rather than remove them.

 

 

Do Visit the Dentist Regularly

Regular cleanings are even more important than keeping your teeth white. However, getting your biannual checkup done is a great opportunity to confirm if you need an in-office touchup. Furthermore, it’s important to avoid teeth whitening until you’ve had plaque and tartar removed first, the latter of which can only be removed by a dentist.

 

 

Don’t Whiten Teeth Too Often

Once you’ve allowed the whitening agents to do their thing, promptly rinse them off. Not only can leaving it on for longer than instructed increase your risk of experiencing teeth sensitivity, but it can also damage your teeth permanently. You should also avoid overusing whitening toothpastes. At most, you can use them once or twice a week, but any more could cause undue stress to your enamel.

 

 

Do Pay Close Attention to What Stains Teeth

Much like how wine stains carpet, richly-pigmentated foods and beverages can stain teeth, especially right after your whitening treatment where the pores of your enamel are still fairly open. For the next 24 hours, avoid the following:

  • Tobacco
  • Chocolate
  • Coffee
  • Dark juices
  • Wine
  • Dark teas
  • Blackberries
  • Tomato sauce

Think of your teeth as a white carpet. If the foods you’re considering can stain a white carpet with ease, would you want it anywhere near your teeth?

Need additional guidance following your teeth whitening treatment? Unsure of what not to do after you get your teeth whitened? Give a cosmetic dentist a call today!

 

 

About the Author

Dr. Terri Alani has been practicing cosmetic dentistry for over 30 years and is incredibly knowledgeable on treatments designed to keep teeth healthy and beautiful for years to come. Her expertise on both in-office and take-home whitening is sure to give you confidence in your next smile makeover. To learn more or schedule an appointment, you can contact her through her website.

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