Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that involves using a bleaching agent — typically peroxide — to rid of stains and discolouration from teeth. This type of cosmetic dental treatment, however, doesn't last forever. Soon after completing treatment, the teeth will begin getting stained and discoloured again, and therefore, whitening treatment will need to be carried out from time to time to restore the brighter shade of tooth colour.
People who've undergone teeth whitening treatment can increase the longevity of their newly bleached teeth by following the tips below:
Maintaining proper oral hygiene. Accumulation of plaque and tartar in the mouth is one of the top reasons why teeth turn yellow. Brushing and flossing in the morning and before going to bed is vital to ensuring food debris that results in build-up of the elements on the surface of teeth is effectively removed. It is also a good idea to rinse your mouth with antibacterial mouthwash after every meal.
Steering clear of foods and beverages that may stain your teeth. For a longer-lasting teeth whitening effect, it is advisable to avoid consuming foods and beverages that may stain your teeth. In general, you should avoid strongly-coloured foods and drinks like red wine, tea, coffee, berries, sports drink, red sauces, coloured sodas, et cetera, et cetera. Whenever necessary, use a straw to sip strongly-coloured beverages.
Quitting smoking. Dark-coloured foods and drinks are not the only sources of teeth staining. If you're a smoker, you may also start to see the whiter shade of your teeth waning after completing treatment. Quitting smoking is perhaps that most helpful step you will have to take so as to keep your teeth whiter. If you don't stop smoking, you'll constantly struggle to keep your teeth whiter and you may end up with a lacklustre smile. Smoking cessation is a decision that you'll need to make before opting for whitening treatment. Make sure you stick to this decision if you want to extend your teeth whitening effect.
Teeth whitening treatment isn't suitable for all and sundry. For this reason, anyone looking to make their teeth whiter and brighter by undergoing the treatment should consult a qualified dentist first. It is also important to point out that overuse of teeth bleaching agent can darken the surface of the teeth and lead to more stains. Choosing in-office whitening will help avoid over-bleaching, usually seen with at-home bleaching when instructions are not properly followed.
