A bright and confident smile is something that everyone desires. Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental treatment that can help to achieve this. While it is true that you can walk into our dental practice with yellow teeth and leave with a sparkling set of pearly whites, it is important to understand that white teeth require upkeep. In this blog post, we will explain why that is and offer some professional suggestions for maintaining a bright, white smile.
First, It is important to understand that our teeth are not naturally white. In fact, most teeth are more yellow than white. But over time, in the United States, people started to favor the look of pure white. Even with teeth cleaning, however, over time, our teeth can become discolored due to a variety of factors such as genetics, aging, poor dental hygiene, smoking, and consuming certain foods and drinks. These include coffee, tea, red wine, and soda, which can all stain and discolor our teeth. Teeth whitening treatments are designed to reverse this discoloration and restore the natural whiteness of our teeth.
Ongoing Treatment
However, teeth whitening is not a permanent solution. The effects of the treatment can last anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on your diet and oral hygiene habits. Therefore, it’s important to take proper care of your teeth to maintain their white shade. Here are some professional suggestions for maintaining a bright, white smile:
Get In-Office Treatment One of the services we offer is in-home teeth bleaching. We recommend following this up with a take-home kit, to maintain the shade you are seeking.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene Brush your teeth twice a day, floss at least once a day, and use mouthwash to remove bacteria and plaque that can cause staining.
Watch What you Eat and Drink Limit your intake of staining foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine, and soda. If you do consume these beverages, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth.
Quit Smoking The habit of smoking not only stains your teeth but also damages your overall oral health. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your oral health and your overall well-being.
Use Whitening Toothpaste Whitening toothpaste can help to remove surface stains and maintain the whiteness of your teeth between treatments. However, be careful not to use it too often, as it can damage your enamel.
Schedule Regular Dental Cleanings Professional dental cleanings can remove built-up plaque and tartar that can cause staining and discoloration. Your dentist can also recommend additional treatments to help maintain your bright, white smile.
In conclusion, teeth whitening is a great way to achieve a bright, white smile, but it’s important to remember that it’s not a permanent solution. Maintaining a healthy oral hygiene routine and watching what you eat as well as what you drink can go a long way in maintaining the whiteness of your teeth. If you’re considering teeth whitening, talk to your dentist about the best treatment options for you and how to maintain your results for the long term.
About Dr Fred Wong of Blue Ocean Dentistry in Glendora, California
Fred Wong and the staff at Blue Ocean Dentistry use the latest available dental treatments, and materials. Everything we use makes a marked difference in our patients’ experiences. We help our patients achieve optimal dental health. We creatively combine dental science and artistry — which can literally redesign your smile. Since even a subtle change in your smile will help you to project self-confidence and high self-esteem, we love helping you feel good about yourself. We deliver the finest dental care at the most reasonable cost and accept most dental insurance plans as well as CareCredit. For more about the dental treatment plans we offer or to schedule an appointment, call today (626) 852-6999.
