How Can You Make Teeth Whitening Results Last Long?

One of the benefits of professional teeth whitening treatment is that the results are long-lasting. However, the treatment is not permanent, and your teeth will discolor over time. This means you will need to touch up your smile from our dentist in Oakland, CA, from time to time. Another major benefit of professional teeth whitening treatment is that it is relatively easy to maintain. 

Here are some simple tips you need to follow to maintain your teeth whitening results:

Avoid Stain-causing Foods and Drinks

You can maintain your results simply by avoiding common teeth-staining foods and beverages. This includes:

• Citrus fruits
• Hot beverages
• Coffee
• Red wine
• Soda
• Dark berries
• Tobacco products

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

To keep your pearly whites looking bright, you need to practice good oral hygiene every day. This means brushing at least twice a day and flossing once. These habits prevent staining and keep your teeth healthy and strong.

Additionally, be sure to use mouthwash. A whitening mouthwash (such as Colgate® Optic White® Whitening Mouthwash) can help remove surface stains, but it won’t whiten teeth.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Your dentist will schedule your next cleaning shortly after you have your teeth whitened. These cleanings can help keep your teeth looking their best as well as keep your gums healthy.

Wear a Mouth Guard if You Grind Your Teeth at Night

If your tooth sensitivity is severe, ask our dentist in Oakland, CA, about custom-fitted night guards to protect your teeth.

Quit Smoking

Smoking and tobacco use are widely known to stain teeth, and quitting smoking can help minimize staining. But, even after you quit, your teeth will still show signs of yellowing or darkening. This is a result of nicotine, which seeps into the dentin of teeth and causes discoloration. Smoking also makes it harder for whitening treatments to penetrate the enamel and reach the dentin.

Quitting smoking can help delay or reverse teeth discoloration. We recommend that our patients consider quitting for a minimum of 24 hours after their whitening treatment.

To learn more about best practices for oral health, call Bay Area Dental at (510) 350-8187 or visit our dental office at 3300 Webster Street, #907, Oakland, CA 94609. Book your appointment with our dentist in Oakland, CA, to achieve the smile you have always wished for.