After you've whitened your teeth, it's all the more important to observe them to make your perfect smile last. For the best results, try to do the following tasks as often as you can:
- Brush your teeth at least twice every day.
- Floss at least once a day to help remove any plaque that builds up over time.
- Consider using a whitening toothpaste at least once or twice a week. This will act as a type of basic touch-up, allowing you to remove any surface stains that have built up over time, and it will also go a long way towards preventing discolouration. For the rest of the times that you brush your teeth, use regular toothpaste.
- Follow instructions from your Dentist.
- Do not smoke for 48 hours after the whitening procedure
- Stay away from highly coloured foods (red sauce, blueberries, curries, etc and beverages (coffee, tea, etc for 48 hours.
- Sensitivity to hot or cold liquids may occur. This usually passes within 1-2 days and can be improved by filling your trays with a "sensitive" tooth paste for an hour a day and brushing with a sensitive toothpaste. If sensitivity is severe or persists, contact your Dentist.
- Immediate whitening results can be quite dramatic due to minor dehydration of your teeth. It is normal for the colour to tone down somewhat after treatment when your teeth rehydrate to a natural white tone.
The Patient's Commitment
To extend the longevity of newly whitened teeth, dentists are likely to recommend:
- At-home follow-up or maintenance whitening - implemented immediately or performed as infrequently as once a year.
- Avoiding dark-coloured foods and beverages for at least a week after whitening
- Whenever possible, drink dark-coloured beverages with a straw.
- Practicing excellent oral hygiene - brushing and flossing after meals and at bedtime.
- Regular Check-up and Cleaning