Aftercare Tips for Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the most popularly performed cosmetic dental procedures. There are many over-the-counter whitening products available, but professional whitening performed by a dentist can provide better results. Here are some aftercare tips:

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Every time you eat or drink, food particles become trapped in your enamel and between your teeth. Brushing and flossing help to remove these particles from the surface of your teeth, but it is difficult to completely clean them away from between teeth or below the gum line. This causes plaque to build up on the tooth surface and around the gums. Eventually, the plaque will harden into tartar, which cannot be removed with at-home care alone and requires professional dental treatment.

Avoid Stain-Causing Food

During treatment, your teeth will become whiter and brighter. However, if proper aftercare is not practiced, your teeth may stain again over time. Avoid eating and drinking foods that will discolor your teeth—coffee, red pasta sauces, soy sauce, and other dark sauces and condiments. These types of staining substances will leave a permanent mark on your smile. A teeth-whitening gel can reverse minor stains, but it will not remove permanent ones. It is best to avoid these types of foods altogether to maintain a bright, white smile.

Avoid Tobacco and Coffee

If you use a professional teeth whitening procedure, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your teeth are naturally white for a long time. One of the biggest culprits of yellowing teeth is tobacco use. Tobacco use creates brown stains on the teeth and around the gums. It also causes bad breath. Coffee also stains the teeth and can stain the bleaching gels that were used in teeth whitening procedures. Avoiding these substances can help keep your teeth whiter for a longer period of time. 

Use an ADA-approved Whitening Toothpaste

If you want to continue to whiten your smile after getting your teeth professionally whitened, be sure to use an ADA-approved whitening toothpaste. Doing so will help keep your teeth whiter for longer periods of time than if you did not. Look for the ADA seal on toothpaste packaging to be sure the product is approved for use. You can also speak to your dentist about whitening toothpaste and other aftercare products that may help to keep your teeth white in the future.

Use a Whitening Mouth Rinse

It’s important to take good care of your teeth after teeth whitening to avoid staining. One key element is using a good-quality, alcohol-free whitening mouthwash. Mouthwashes with a high concentration of alcohol can dry out your mouth and damage your enamel. On the other hand, an alcohol-free formula will clean your teeth without harming them. By using mouthwash daily, you can prevent stains from forming and keep your teeth bright for a long time.

To find out more about the dental services offered at our dental practice, call (909) 820-9081 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 1735 N Riverside Ave Rialto, CA 92376.