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How to Extend the Results of Teeth Whitening

Having your teeth professionally whitened can make a big difference in how your smile looks and in how confident you feel about your appearance. White, bright, healthy-looking teeth can help you look younger, more attractive and even more successful. Even better — professional whitening at Chester Family Dentistry takes just about an hour, and that means you can schedule a whitening treatment in the morning and be ready for a special event by the evening.

Once you see the improvement a professional whitening treatment can make in your smile, you’re going to want to do all you can to make sure those beautiful results last as long as possible. The good news: Keeping your teeth looking their whitest and brightest is a lot easier than you probably think. Here are seven tips to help you stay on the right track.

1. Prepare your teeth first

Professional teeth whitening uses special formulations designed to penetrate the superficial layers of your teeth, removing deep stains, so your teeth look white and healthy. If your teeth are coated with sticky plaque and hard tartar, it’s a lot harder for the whitening solution to penetrate those superficial layers, and the results you get won’t be as consistent. Scheduling a professional cleaning right before your whitening treatment means your teeth will be free of plaque and tartar, allowing the whitening solution to penetrate your teeth and lift away years of stains and dinginess.

2. Avoid foods and drinks with deep colors

Most tooth stains are caused by the foods we eat and the beverages we drink — specifically, foods and drinks with dark colors. Coffee, red wine, tea, dark berries and foods with added natural and artificial colors are all common causes of tooth stains, and so are deeply colored spices such as turmeric. Limiting your intake of these foods and drinks can reduce your risk of stains, so your whitening results last longer.

3. Rinse after eating or drinking

Of course, completely eliminating foods and drinks that cause stains isn’t always easy. If you find yourself indulging in something known to stain teeth, be sure to rinse well afterward to help wash away pigments and prevent them from penetrating your tooth surfaces.

4. Be aware of foods with high acid content

High-acid foods and drinks, including tomato products, citrus beverages, sodas and energy drinks, can temporarily soften your tooth enamel, making it easier for stains to penetrate. If you consume one of these foods or drinks, rinse afterward and avoid eating anything that could stain for at least a half hour to give your enamel time to reharden.

5. Be vigilant about oral hygiene

Some tooth stains are a result of poor brushing and flossing habits. Make sure to brush and floss at least twice each day to remove food particles that could stain and to get rid of sticky plaque that might contain staining pigments. Use a whitening toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush to clean teeth, and make sure to wait at least a half hour after eating before brushing to avoid damaging your enamel.

6. Don’t skip your regular professional cleanings

At-home hygiene is super important for keeping your teeth as white and bright as possible, but you still need to keep those regular cleaning appointments with our office. Not only will a professional cleaning keep your teeth and gums healthy, but the gentle abrasives and special tools we use can help your teeth stay white, bright and beautiful — even the areas of your teeth that just can’t be easily reached with a regular toothbrush.

7. Ask about take-home trays

At Chester Family Dentistry, we offer take-home whitening trays, so you can maintain your results at home. Our trays are customized to fit the contours of your teeth, making them far superior to any trays you can buy at your local drugstore. Plus, the solutions we provide are designed to be dispensed by a dentist, which means you can get great results and maintain your white smile between professional in-office treatments.

Stop dreaming about how great it'd be to have whiter, brighter teeth and a more attractive, sexier smile. At Chester Family Dentistry, we can make those dreams a reality — in just one hour. To learn more about the professional whitening options we offer and how they can help you look and feel your best, book an appointment online today.

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