After completing your cosmetic dentist teeth whitening procedure or program, you now have a brighter smile and maybe even a boost in confidence along with it. However, if you want to keep that brighter smile, you’ll have to maintain it.
It’s very easy to start staining your teeth all over again if you’re not careful. Here are some best practices for keeping your new smile shiny, bright, and inviting.
Brush Your Teeth Regularly and Floss
Now is an excellent time to reaffirm your commitment to daily oral hygiene practices. Brush and floss regularly. That’s all you need to do. Brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least once will help maintain your smile. You will also prevent plaque and tartar buildup, which can yellow your teeth and make them look dull.
A regular soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste will work well enough. However, you can also choose a toothpaste specifically designed for helping to maintain whitened teeth.
Watch What You Eat and Drink
Foods and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, soda, berries, tomato sauce, soy sauce, curry, chocolate, and dark-colored sauces will cause staining over time. These foods and drinks have pigments or acids that erode enamel and stain dentin.
You don’t have to outright avoid your favorite foods and drinks, but limiting can help, and rinsing your mouth with water after indulging in them will serve your whitened teeth well. If rinsing isn’t enough, you can brush your teeth after eating certain sticky or staining foods.
For drinks, consider using a straw more often. The straw minimizes direct contact with your enamel.
Avoid Smoking and Tobacco Products
Smoking can stain teeth significantly. If you smoke, you can use this as a time to quit. Other tobacco products will stain your teeth because they typically contain tar and nicotine as well.
In addition, smoking and tobacco products come with serious health risks that aren’t limited to your dental health. But, even with just your dental health, smoking can damage your gums and cause gum disease and even oral cancer.
Ask Your Cosmetic Dentist about Best Practices
Cosmetic Dentistry in Bloomfield Hills isn’t just one and done. You can and should speak to your cosmetic dentist or their office about what practices they recommend for maintaining the effects of their work.
Different types of whitening procedures exist, and your cosmetic dentist may have some insight on how best to maintain your smile with regard to the specific procedure used.
Don’t Skip Your Routine Dental Checkups and Cleanings
Continue making routine visits to your dentist. Your dentist will do their job of monitoring your oral health to make sure no issues that might ruin your smile. In addition, your dentist will give you your routine cleaning, which will serve as an excellent touchup to your whitening.
Your dentist can also offer you further guidance for maintaining the effects of your teeth whitening procedure.
Follow these best practices, take the advice of your dental professional, and you’ll maintain that whiter smile. Also, you might just improve your overall health in several ways in the process.
