You’ve finally gotten that teeth whitening procedure you’ve always wanted, and can smile brightly with confidence. Now what?
While it may have taken just one session to get your teeth looking extra white, keeping them that way requires more than just that one session. Your dentist in Sydney may have been responsible for getting your teeth their whitest initially, but the rest of the time it is up to you to keep them that way. So what should you do?
Keeping your teeth white after a whitening treatment is actually not that difficult, so long as you keep in mind one simple thing:
Anything That Stains Will Stain
A teeth whitening treatment can whiten your teeth, but it will not protect it from getting stained again. So whatever stained your teeth in the first place can possibly stain them again– but only if you let them.
One general rule you need to remember is that anything that can stain a white shirt will stain your teeth. Coffee, tea, red wine, chocolate, soy sauce, fruit juice, tomato sauce, even lipstick– all of these can stain your teeth. It is crucial therefore, especially in the first two days following your whitening procedure, to avoid these things. Teeth become slightly dehydrated right after a treatment and will absorb anything around it pretty quickly, including colour.
Long-Term Stain Prevention
So should you avoid these things for good just to keep your teeth white? Of course not (and you probably couldn’t and wouldn’t want to anyway!). But there are some steps you will have to take in order to keep your teeth stain-free and whiter for longer:
Brush your teeth properly, and after every meal. Make sure to brush your teeth as you wake up and right before you go to bed, and of course after eating your meals. The food and beverages you take in could stain your teeth, and the longer they stay in your mouth, the more likely they are to stain.
Use a whitening toothpaste, and steer clear of coloured ones (red or blue). Whitening toothpastes are not as powerful as in-clinic whitening treatments, but they can help remove surface stains before they become more severe.
If you can’t brush your teeth right away after eating or drinking, make sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly with water several times after.
Use a straw (a reusable one would be best) for drinking any coloured drinks to limit their contact with your teeth.
As much as possible, refrain from smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages. These can reverse the effects of teeth whitening. If you really cannot quit smoking or drinking entirely, at least try to do them a lot less or only during certain occasions.
By following these five simple steps, you can ensure that your teeth retain their bright white for longer, and you get the most out of your teeth whitening session.
What If The Stains Come Back?
If ever you do find yourself plagued by teeth stains once again, there’s no need to panic. After some time of eating, drinking and smoking (if you still do) the colour of your teeth will inevitably change, but you can always get that sparkling white smile once again through another session of teeth whitening in Sydney.
Visiting your dentist regularly and getting a professional cleaning can also help fight teeth discolouration in between whitening sessions. If you want to achieve a whiter, brighter smile at home you could also ask your dentist about getting your own whitening kit so you can whiten your teeth at home.
If you’re thinking about getting teeth whitening at Epping or surrounding areas, give Marsfield Dental Care a call. We provide professional teeth whitening service in the area and can help you maintain your bright smile for longer. Give us a call now on (02) 9887 1961 to schedule your appointment.
"The information in this website may be simplified in nature and does not replace professional advice. Risks and consequences may apply to any treatment. Always seek a second opinion when considering complex treatment. A referral to a specialist may be required in certain situations. Quotations can only be given after proper clinical assessment and so pricing details cannot be given over the phone."
COVID 19 Update - Oct 2021
All our members of staff - Dentists and supporting assistants - are fully vaccinated. We are a COVID-safe practice and we are open for all general dental treatment needs and services.
