Teeth whitening treatments allow you to feel better about the way you look with a relatively minimal amount of effort. The whitening procedure is fairly quick to perform and is normally cost-effective for any of our patients that wish to have it done. Whiter teeth have a direct correlation with most people to a heightened self-esteem too so it’s important that once you whiten them, the results last for a while!
It’s important to understand that teeth whitening is not something that will last you forever and that stains will begin to return. Eating and drinking acidic things will slowly cause your whitened teeth to yellow over time, so it’s important to take the proper steps to extend that whiteness as long as possible.
Whether you decide to have your teeth whitened via in-office teeth whitening, or professionally fitted take-home trays, Dr. Phan will educate you on the entire process from start to finish. Following these steps will also ensure your whiter teeth remain that way for longer.
Avoid acidic foods & drinks
Teeth whitening works by removing stains from the surface of the teeth. This outer coating of the teeth is called your enamel. Whitening does not provide protection against future discoloration, so it’s important to avoid consuming things that will discolor them again. Foods that are high in acidity may also cause rough patches on your teeth to occur, which can cause patchy stains to occur and return at a faster rate.
In order to best delay the return of stains, try to avoid food and drinks such as:
- Tea and coffee
- High sugar colas and other dark/colorful sodas
- Red wine
- Dark or acidic fruit juices such as cranberry or grape juice
- Acidic foods such as tomato sauce
Reduce effects of staining after over-indulging
It’s understandable that you can’t completely eliminate things from your diet which are bad for your teeth. Although something might be bad for your teeth, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad for your health too! Things such as cranberry juice or red wine do actually have health benefits for you. Some of the steps you can use to reduce your exposure to things that may yellow your teeth are:
- Drinking through a straw to reduce the amount of substance that contacts your teeth
- Brushing your teeth after consuming acidic things to reduce the amount of exposure to them
Regular check-ups
If you attempt to remain healthy and are conscious of your oral health, you can likely expect teeth whitening treatments to last you between one to three years. It is all dependent on how you take care of your teeth, which can reduce or extend this time frame.
Be sure to get the most out of your teeth whitening procedure by having Dr. Phuong Phan and our team at Phan Family Dentistry check and clean your teeth every six months. This will ensure not only your teeth remain white for as long as possible, but also ensures proper oral hygiene as well.
Request an appointment online or call our office today to schedule your visit to find out more!