Teeth Whitening After-Care Tips
Posted on: 17 October 2022
If you have discolored or stained teeth, teeth whitening is the most appropriate remedy for your condition. Many people are misled to think that teeth whitening is a permanent procedure. While this treatment will make your teeth pearly white, the effects of the procedure will last as long as you follow your dentist's instructions. Here are some recommended teeth whitening after-care tips.
Replace Staining Foods with a White Diet
One of the most recommended practices for maintaining white teeth after a whitening procedure is to avoid staining foods. These include chocolate, red wine, coffee, tea, marinara, and ketchup sauce.
Also, avoid foods rich in citric acid, like lemons, oranges, and tomatoes. If you cannot resist these foods, consume them in moderation. An alternative to staining foods is a white diet. These foods promote bright teeth. White foods include rice, cheese, yogurt, and milk.
Use an Electric Toothbrush
An electric toothbrush helps with extrinsic staining caused by foods and drinks. Although dentists recommend you avoid staining foods like coffee, tea, red wine, and acidic foods, an electric toothbrush can help blast away these remnants.
For children, an electric toothbrush effectively removes sugar bugs in the pits and grooves of the teeth. Furthermore, since an electric toothbrush rotates, vibrates, and oscillates, it breaks up bacteria more effectively than a manual brush. Also, these toothbrushes help minimize internal staining caused by decay or dead nerves.
Use Straws When Drinking Acidic or Staining Beverages
If you cannot resist tea or coffee, you can still use a straw for drinking them. Consider buying metal straws because you can clean and reuse them. Moreover, metal straws can be used with both cold and hot drinks. Straws prevent acidic and dark beverages from staining your teeth.
Whitening Toothpaste
Teeth are more porous after a whitening procedure. Therefore, you should avoid whitening toothpaste a few weeks after the procedure. After the sensitivity dissipates, you can use whitening toothpaste.
You should also consider other over-the-counter whitening products like whitening gums. Brush at least twice a day after eating any staining and sugary foods. Whitening toothpaste removes surface stains. Also, don't forget to floss your teeth daily.
In Closing
In addition to these after-care whitening tips, you should visit your dentist at least twice a year for a dental cleaning. This procedure protects your teeth from plaque, which could also affect the credibility of the whitening treatment. Also, consider touch-up whitening treatments. These procedures are less extensive than whitening treatments, but they will preserve your pearly white teeth.
Speak to your dentist to learn more.
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