Keeping Your Smile Bright After Tooth Whitening
Tooth whitening is a great way to restore your smile, but you'll want to make sure you take the proper precautions for keeping your teeth bright and white after the procedure is complete. Use this guide to maintain your pearly whites.
Use A Whitening Toothpaste A whitening toothpaste can help to prevent your teeth from yellowing and maintain your newly whitened teeth. Your dentist may be able to help you choose a whitening toothpaste that works for you. If you have sensitivity after the whitening procedure, you may need to use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth for a bit, but you should be able to switch to a whitening toothpaste once the sensitivity subsides.Your dentist will let you know how often to use your whitening toothpaste and which type of toothpaste to use every day after your teeth have been whitened.
Rinse Regularly An antiseptic mouthwash can work to kill plaque-causing bacteria, so be sure to rinse with this type of mouthwash regularly. You should also consider rinsing your mouth after consuming foods or beverages that can stain your teeth. If you are unable to brush after a meal because you are out at a restaurant, you can still rinse your mouth with water to keep your teeth clean between brushings.
Use A Straw One way to keep drinks from staining your teeth is to drink through a straw. This will prevent the beverages from coming in direct contact with the front of your newly whitened teeth. You can use a straw to drink your coffee or tea as well as the occasional soft drink, so consider shopping for coffee stirrer straws for use with hot drinks, and use regular straws for cold beverages. You may even want to keep a plastic cup with a lid and straw at your desk so you can stick to this routine and prevent staining on your teeth. If you tend to eat meals on the go in your car, consider keeping a stash of straws in your glove box that you can use with cans or bottles of soda or juice.
Follow Up With Your Dentist You may find that your teeth need a touch up now and then. Depending on your eating and drinking habits, age, or oral health, your teeth may begin to yellow again. People who smoke may need to have touchups performed to tackle the stains that smoking can cause. Consult with your dentist to review your whitening options, which may include a touchup or a more powerful whitening treatment. With the help of a regular brushing routine and a few extra precautions, you can keep your newly whitened teeth looking great for years to come.