How to Maintain Your Newly Whitened Teeth

When it comes to smiles, many people wish for whiter, brighter teeth. That may be why teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments in the United States.

Here at Goodman Dental Center in Queen Creek, AZ, general and cosmetic dentists Brian Goodman, DDS, and Tanner Goodman, DDS, offer in-office and at-home teeth whitening treatments, which can make your smile several shades whiter.

Though teeth whitening improves the look of your smile, the results are temporary. But with a few tweaks to your habits and routine, you can lengthen the benefits of your teeth whitening treatments.

Know what causes dull, discolored teeth

When looking for ways to maintain your white, bright smile after your teeth whitening treatments, it’s essential to know what caused your dull, yellow teeth in the first place.

Food and drink

The pigments in coffee, tea, red wine, and berries attach themselves to the enamel, creating stains.

Tobacco

In addition to increasing your risk of lung cancer, mouth cancer, and heart disease, tobacco also stains your teeth.

Aging

Aging is also one of the most common causes of tooth discoloration. Brushing and eating wear away the white enamel, allowing the yellow dentin underneath to show through.

Understanding professional teeth whitening

Goodman Dental Center offers several teeth whitening options, including:

In-office bleaching
Custom-fit trays for bleaching at home
Prefabricated bleaching trays containing bleach to use at home

In-office teeth whitening is the quickest way to get white teeth. Our at-home bleaching options deliver dramatic results too, but few take several weeks to see optimal results.

Maintaining your newly whitened teeth

Now that you know some of the most common causes of tooth discoloration and how we treat them, we want to provide some tips on what you can do to maintain your white, bright smile.

First, continue to brush and floss daily. You also need to attend your regularly scheduled dental cleanings and checkups.

Quitting smoking may be a no-brainer, but you may have a more difficult time giving up your morning coffee or afternoon tea. To prevent food stains from sabotaging your newly brightened smile, drink these teeth-staining liquids through a straw. Drinking through a straw may stop the liquids from contacting and staining your teeth.

Rinsing your mouth with water may also prevent food stains from setting in. We also recommend brushing after you eat.

Additionally, we offer a professional at-home teeth whitening kit that can prolong the benefits of your in-office teeth whitening treatments.

Teeth whitening is one of the easiest ways to improve the look of your teeth and smile. To learn more about our teeth whitening options, book an appointment over the phone with Goodman Dental Center today.