Teeth whitening is a revolutionary treatment that eliminates the effects of foods, drinks, age, and smoking on your teeth to give you a brighter smile. By clearing teeth stains, it can boost your confidence and give you the smile of your dreams, which can inadvertently improve your social and career life. But while Novi teeth whitening is definitely a worthwhile investment, its results do not last forever, especially if you do not take care of your teeth. Everything from what you eat to how often you floss can determine how long you get to enjoy your new smile. To help you maintain your shine, here are five essential practices you should adopt after a teeth whitening treatment.
Maintain Good Oral Health
Of course, the first thing you want to do is create and follow a good oral health routine. At the very least, you need to brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day for two minutes. You should also floss daily and use an antibacterial mouthwash to eliminate bacteria from your mouth. Replace your toothbrush once every three months and avoid sharing it with anyone. If possible, you should also brush your teeth or rinse your mouth after every meal.
Avoid Staining Drinks and Foods
Foods and drinks are the common teeth-staining culprit. If you just underwent a cleaning treatment, you should avoid deep-colored drinks like red wine, tea, coffee, and cola. You should also avoid richly-colored foods like soy sauce, tomato sauce or soup, candy, blueberries, and beets. If you have to drink or eat these items, use a straw and brush your teeth immediately after.
Schedule Regular Cleanings
As mentioned, teeth whitening results do not last forever. So, in addition to proper management at home, you need to work with your dentist to keep your teeth white and clean. An excellent way to do this is to schedule a professional cleaning once or twice a year. During this session, your dentist will use machines and solutions to eliminate plaque and tartar buildup from your teeth before they cause discoloration.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is an overall bad habit with negative effects on your heart, lungs, and even teeth. Tobacco contains substances like tar and nicotine that can alter the chemical composition of your teeth and cause staining. Moreover, people who smoke are more likely to develop plaque. This means that you need to kick smoking after your teeth whitening treatment to maintain your results. If quitting is difficult, talk to your doctor about joining a smoking cessation program.
Drink More Water
Water keeps the systems in your body running smoothly. For your teeth, water keeps your mouth hydrated and washes away bacteria and food particles that would otherwise stick to your teeth. This helps prevent stains from forming on your newly-whitened enamels.
Start with a Professional Teeth Whitening Appointment
Your teeth will naturally lose their shine, white hue, and luster over time. Even if you brush daily and floss diligently, factors like the foods you eat and age can work against you to mar your smile. Fortunately, you can reverse these effects through professional teeth whitening. This treatment is safer and more effective than OTC whitening treatments and can give you whiter teeth for longer. So before you maintain the color of your teeth, contact a dentist today to help them achieve the hue you want.
