After Teeth Whitening Instructions
So you’ve had your teeth professionally whitened. Great! Your teeth look amazing, but now what? How do you keep them looking sparkly clean? Unless you want to live at the dentist’s office, there are a few things you’ll need to keep doing at home to protect the investment you just made in your smile. In this blog post, we’ll talk about what you can do to maintain those beautiful white teeth, and also give you some advice on what to steer clear of.
What Can I Do after Teeth Whitening?
The best thing you can do after having your teeth professionally whitened is to continue to brush and floss daily, always taking care to rid your teeth of as much plaque as possible. Additionally, you need to stay up-to-date with your dental check-ups. The cleanings you get at the dentist (you should book a check-up once every six months) go much further than you can on your own to counteract staining and keep plaque at bay. As a result, sticking to your check-up schedule will go a long way towards keeping your teeth as white as possible. To sum up the “do” list:
- Brush at least twice a day
- Floss every day
- Get a check-up twice a year
If you can do those things you’ll have no trouble keeping your teeth in great shape.
What Can’t I Do after Teeth Whitening?
Once you’ve had a dentist whiten your teeth, there are some things you will want to avoid in the immediate-term in order to preserve that fresh, confident smile, including:
- Drinking staining liquids such as coffee, tea, and wine
- Consuming fatty foods or any food that is dark in colour
- Smoking or vaping
All of the above activities can and will stain your teeth long-term, but it’s especially important to avoid them immediately after you’ve had your teeth professionally whitened. If you can, staying away from all of the above for 48 hours is best. You may also want to consider waiting just a couple of hours before brushing your teeth with a soft bristle brush after your whitening treatment.
Can’t I Whiten My Teeth at Home?
Yes you can! However you should not whiten your teeth with over-the-counter whitening kits like those that can be purchased at the supermarket. When you choose to have your teeth whitened by the dentist, they can supply you with safe, professional-grade whitening trays to take home with you instead.
There are a few of reasons over-the-counter whitening treatments are not recommended:
- They are not as safe and can cause chemical burns if used improperly
- They are not as effective as clinical treatments in removing stains
- They use a “one-size-fits-all” approach and therefore not customized for your mouth
- The results do not last as long (clinical whitening can last up to three years!)
Ultimately, the safest and most effective whitening treatment is simply the one that your dentist can provide you with. They’ll make sure your teeth are well protected and give you the expert advice you need to maintain your bright new smile. Plus, with your dentist you can get noticeably whiter teeth that last in as little as one hour!
How Often Should I Get My Teeth Professionally Whitened?
As we’ve mentioned, professional whitening will last significantly longer than any at-home solution, so how often you have your teeth whitened at the dentist will depend mainly on how well you keep up on your home care routine. Also, if you’ve discussed continuing to lighten your smile with your dentist over time, then you may engage in multiple treatments over the span of a few months. In general, once every couple of years in tandem with biannual check-ups should be enough to keep you satisfied with your smile indefinitely.
Book Your Next Whitening Appointment Today
Your dentist is the only person you can trust to keep your teeth and gums in good shape, and dentists are the experts when it comes to teeth whitening. For a brighter, more confident smile that will stand the test of time, book your next whitening appointment with Dentistry on Danforth today.