Teeth whitening doesn’t just improve the way your smile looks — it helps you feel better by making sure your teeth always look their absolute best. It makes sense, then, that once your smile looks great, you want to do all you can to maintain those results.
As a top provider of state-of-the-art teeth whitening treatments, Abir Faraj, DDS, wants that, too. In this post, she offers some simple tips to help patients at Novi Family Dentistry in Novi, Michigan, enjoy their professional whitening results for as long as possible.
Teeth whitening agents can do a great job of lifting away stains and yellowing that leave your smile looking dingy and worn. But to be effective, they need to penetrate the tooth surface.
If your tooth surfaces are coated in sticky plaque or hardened tartar, whitening agents can’t penetrate as well, and your results will be uneven and disappointing.
Scheduling a professional cleaning first removes hard tartar and plaque, allowing the whitening agents to penetrate evenly. The result is deeper, more effective, more consistent whitening that gives you beautiful, dazzling results.
Most tooth staining is caused by the foods and beverages we consume. Some foods and drinks contain deep pigments that leave discoloration, especially over time. Common culprits include coffee, tea, red wine, sports drinks, tomato products, berries, and anything containing artificial colors or dyes.
Foods high in acids temporarily weaken tooth enamel, making it easier for pigments to penetrate. Of course, lots of foods that cause stains are also very healthy, so you don’t necessarily want to avoid them.
A better option: After consuming foods or drinks that cause stains or temporarily soften your enamel, rinse well with water to get rid of residue and restore your mouth’s normal pH.
Rinsing is better than brushing right away, since brushing on softened enamel may increase wear. You can also use a straw when drinking staining drinks like coffee or soda.
Finally, if you smoke or vape, kicking these habits can help maintain your whitening results longer. Tobacco and vape chemicals can stain and discolor your teeth, in addition to increasing your risk of other oral health problems, which is why it’s important to make quitting these habits a priority.
Brushing and flossing are essential for keeping cavities and gum disease at bay, supporting a lifetime of better oral health. These key activities can help your teeth look their best, too, and that means longer-lasting teeth-whitening results overall.
Even though brushing and flossing are common habits, many of us aren’t using the right technique, leaving behind deposits of yellowish plaque and tartar.
Not to worry, though: The American Dental Association has you covered with easy-to-follow tips on its website. You can find brushing tips here and flossing techniques here.
While at-home, over-the-counter tooth bleaching kits provide inconsistent results compared to professional teeth whitening treatments, some home-care products can help your professional results last longer.
For instance, using whitening toothpastes and mouth rinses between professional whitening treatments helps preserve your smile while protecting your oral health. Dr. Faraj can recommend the best products for your needs and goals during your visit.
Finally, be sure to visit us twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings. During these appointments, our team uses specialized instruments to remove plaque and tartar buildup, significantly reducing your risks of gum disease and cavities while also keeping your smile looking its best.
Special mildly-abrasive polishes eliminate superficial stains before they have a chance to penetrate and cause noticeable discoloration. These quick visits protect your oral health and ensure your whitening results last as long as possible.
Whiter, brighter teeth look healthier and more attractive, but they offer something more, too: a bigger boost in confidence and self-esteem.
To learn more about teeth whitening and how our treatments can help your smile look its absolute best, book an appointment at Novi Family Dentistry today by calling 313-646-7903 or scheduling online.
