Sciota, Pennsylvania
These days, if you want to whiten your smile, you have a wide variety of options available: toothpaste, store-bought kits, oral rinses or, for maximum effectiveness, a professional whitening treatment from your Sciota cosmetic dentist. No matter what method you choose to brighten your smile, no whitening treatment will last forever. However, you can take steps to prolong the effectiveness of your whitening procedure. We take you through that guide today on the blog.
Step 1: Avoid foods that stain teeth
What do coffee, tea, dark-colored fruits and red wine have in common? They all can create surface stains on teeth, especially if you consume them regularly. Eat or drink these in moderation to reduce surface stains. You also can sip your beverages through a straw to limit the exposure of these pigmented drinks to the surfaces of your teeth.
Step 2: Rinse your mouth
We realize that few people walk around in their daily life with a toothbrush and toothpaste, so if you partake in any of the foods and drinks listed above, you can rinse your mouth with water when you are finished. This will remove any lingering particles that might be accumulating on your tooth enamel.
Step 3: Avoid tobacco in any form
Any medical practitioner that you encounter is likely to warn you against the dangers of tobacco, whether you choose to smoke, use chewing tobacco or vape. Tobacco can wreak havoc on the appearance of your smile, as the nicotine can create yellow stains on your teeth. Drop your tobacco habit to help your oral health and improve your overall wellness.
Step 4: Be diligent about your oral hygiene
As mentioned, no whitening method is permanent, but good oral hygiene extends the lifespan of your treatment. Follow the regimen of care recommended by the American Dental Association: brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste, floss daily and see your dentist for a checkup every six months. You also can consider adding an antiseptic mouthwash to your routine to reduce the harmful bacteria in your mouth.
Step 5: Use a whitening toothpaste
Brush your teeth with a whitening toothpaste once or twice per week to limit the formation of new surface stains. Just be sure you choose a toothpaste that also has the ADA seal on it, as this indicates the product contains fluoride. Be mindful using these toothpastes, which may have mild abrasive ingredients that potentially could do harm to your tooth enamel.
Professional dental whitening in Sciota, Pennsylvania
While there are many whitening treatments out there available in stores, for the best results, we recommend you choose a whitening procedure administered by a cosmetic dentist like the experts at Chestnuthill Dental. Our whitening treatments work with more powerful bleaching agents than any over-the-counter option and, because the procedure is administered under the supervision of a trained cosmetic dentist, you have a lower risk of experiencing increased sensitivity in your teeth. To find out more about our whitening procedures, schedule a consultation today by calling (570) 402-4001 or complete our online appointment request form.