Patients with yellowed, stained, or discolored teeth may want to hide their smile because they believe it is not looking its best. Professional teeth whitening treatment can enhance your smile and boost your confidence. With in-office treatment, your dentist can apply a bleaching gel to your teeth and use concentrated light to activate whitening agents, leaving you with a brighter smile. After your procedure, you will want to make sure these cosmetic effects last as long as possible. Dr. Paul Larsen, a dentist in Bountiful, UT, offers tips to keep your smile bright after professional whitening.
Avoid staining substances
Tooth discoloration can occur for reasons outside of a patient’s control, such as aging or a medication side effect. Staining can also come from substances we put into our mouths. Dark-colored food and beverages can contain tannins that absorb into tooth enamel and stain teeth, even after professional teeth whitening. Examples of these include coffee, tea, and red wine. To maintain the effects of cosmetic treatment, these beverages should be avoided or enjoyed in moderation.
Practice good oral hygiene
Proper oral hygiene habits keep your mouth clean and healthy and, therefore, strong enough to fight agents that may stain teeth. Bacteria cause a film of plaque to form over teeth during the day, and if left untreated, this can cause tooth decay or gum disease. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. Ideally, flossing should happen at night to remove plaque that develops between teeth throughout the day. Rinsing with mouthwash gets rid of bacteria in spots difficult to reach with traditional brushing. Good oral hygiene habits ensure a stable environment that will keep your teeth healthy and white.
Schedule regular dentist visits
Part of a good oral hygiene routine includes regular visits to your dentist. At a routine dental appointment, your dentist will clean plaque and tartar that has built up over your teeth in hard-to-reach places. Your dentist will also examine your mouth for signs of decay or disease so any necessary treatment can begin promptly. Your dentist may also give you a fluoride treatment to further strengthen tooth enamel, which can keep your teeth whiter after professional whitening. You can talk to your dentist about whitening touch-ups to your teeth in these appointments too.
Professional teeth whitening in Bountiful, UT
Dr. Larsen offers professional teeth whitening and other cosmetic dental services to patients in Bountiful, UT. Our practice also specializes in general and restorative dentistry for patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 801.228.0155.