Ways to Keep Your Teeth White Following Professional Whitening
It is a common complaint among dental patients, with as many as 8 in 10 people wishing that their teeth were whiter.
However, if you have recently undertaken a professional whitening session and are showing off your pearly whites to everyone, you may be curious as to how you can maintain the effect for as long as possible. After all, many dental teams will only want to offer you one dental whitening session per year, meaning that the upkeep of your whiter smile should be the priority.
So, here are some basic tips you can follow.
Whitening Gels
Okay, so if you have had your teeth professionally whitened, your dentist will have likely given you whitening gels to keep the whitening effect going. If you have skimmed through a guide to whitening your teeth, you will know that this particular whitening gel is going to be stronger than the gels you can get in the shops. So, aim to use the whitening gels as often as directed by your dentist. Many people wear these gels in a dental tray to bed, which removes stains and keeps their teeth whiter for longer.
Use an Electric Toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes are simply better at removing stains and debris that may have accumulated on your teeth. Thus, if you don’t have an electric toothbrush, it is well worth investing in one. Plus, as many are adaptable to be plugged into your bathroom outlet, it is easy to keep them fully charged.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking is a big no-no for your teeth anyway, especially if you already have teeth that are genetically not the brightest shade of white. Indeed, many people have met a smoker whose teeth are yellowed from the nicotine in a cigarette, so it is well worth kicking this habit if you can. Most dental surgeries also offer smoking cessation clinics, so be sure to ask your dental team for tips on how to quit. Not only will it keep your teeth whiter, but it will improve your oral and general health drastically.
Limit Tannins
Tannins are stain-creating chemicals that stick to the teeth, and they are found in drinks such as tea, coffee, and red wine. If you love a cup of tea or coffee in the morning, it is well worth reducing the amount that you drink, or creating a weaker version of these drinks, to avoid tannin exposure to your newly whitened teeth. It may also be time to switch to a nice rose in the wine bar after work.
Attend Check-Ups
Check-ups with your dentist are a core part of keeping your teeth whiter for longer. Not only is your dentist able to remove plaque that has built up in your mouth and can discolor, but they can also perform deep cleanings. This is where they remove stains that have built up on your teeth that you cannot remove at home, usually using a specialized drill. So, to keep your teeth whiter for longer, be sure to pop in for your dental check at least twice a year.
