How to Protect Your Teeth After Whitening?

The majority of people across the world go for teeth whitening procedures to have a healthy smile. After all, nothing makes a better impression than a smile that shows off milk-white teeth. The rising social and professional standards have pushed people to undergo procedures that maintain a radiant smile.

Once you have undergone this procedure, it’s natural to want to maintain its effects for as long as you can. What you do after the procedure will greatly determine how long the effects will last. Today we are going to discuss some of the best methods that you can use to keep your teeth white after whitening. Plus, we shall also discuss a few tips to care for your teeth and your oral health in general. Let’s get started!

1.    Avoid these foods after whitening procedure

Undergoing a whitening procedure is quite expensive especially if you want a remarkable job. As the popular saying goes, you get what you invest. Therefore, you should consider adopting proven tips that will make the results last for a long time.

After treatment, the first 48 hours are critical. You need to be aware of the foods you are consuming because there are certain types of foods that normally discolor teeth.  Avoid them at all costs during this time. These foods include:

• Coffee and tea – These beverage drinks will stain your radiant teeth immediately
• Dark sauces – Dark-colored sauces such as soy sauce, red pasta, and barbecue sauce will reverse all your efforts.
• Dark chocolate – Similar to beverages, it contains caffeine that will discolor your teeth
• Acidic foods- Fruits like oranges, lemons, and citrus contain acids that weaken your enamel and discolor teeth

In general, avoid any type of food or drink that will stain your teeth for forty-eight hours after the whitening procedure.

If you must drink soda, coffee or any other dark beverage, use a straw instead of sipping it directly from your cup. A straw will greatly reduce the chances of the beverage coming in contact with your gleaming teeth.

So, if you shouldn’t consume your favorite beverages, what should you eat for the next forty-eight hours?

• Colorless beverages
• White-colored vegetables
• Non-acidic fruits
• White meat

2.    Observe oral hygiene

You were probably taught the basics of observing oral hygiene as a kid. Most of the lessons apply after you’ve whitened your teeth. You might not be able to do all of them in a day. However, you should do your best to make that perfect smile last.

• Brushing your teeth in the morning and before going to bed
• Floss to eliminate plaque that builds up over time at least once a day
• Use an antiseptic mouthwash once every day to rinse your mouth. This will kill bacteria and remove the buildup of plaque
• Use a whitening toothpaste at least twice a week. This will be a basic touch up that will allow you to remove surface stains that build up over time. It will also help you in preventing discoloration in the long run.
• Use regular toothpaste when brushing your teeth every day.

3.    Touch-up treatments work

Depending on the whitening treatments that you’ll use in addition to changing your lifestyle and diet, the results will not last forever. As the popular saying goes, nothing is permanent under the sun.

Therefore, you should go for touch-up treatments every two years. Touch-ups are necessary because most of the things you’ll eat or drink will chip away your results. This treatment is a crucial part of restoring a natural shine to your beautiful smile.

4.    Visit the dentist

According to write my dissertation, one of the most effective ways to care for your teeth after a whitening procedure is regularly visiting your dentist to have your teeth checked. Seeing a dental care professional is not something feel embarrassed about or fear.

These professionals are there to help you feel better about yourself. To sustain that bright smile, you should book an appointment today. Several professionals will take care of you without hurting your wallet.

Keeping your teeth strong and healthy

Having strong healthy teeth takes time. Even if you have nice teeth, you need to take good care of them to prevent problems in the future. Here are a few additional tips that you can use.

1.      Use fluoride toothpaste

When choosing your toothpaste, you have to consider other elements apart from the flavors and whitening power. No matter which brand you choose, ensure that it contains fluoride.

While there has been a strong debate on the effects of fluoride on general health, it remains the king of oral health. This is because fluoride defends teeth from decaying. It works by killing bacteria and providing your teeth with a protective barrier.

2.      Consume crunchy fruits and vegetables

Ready to eat snacks are cheap and convenient but perhaps not much to your teeth. Eating fresh crunchy fruits and vegetables will work wonders for your teeth because they contain fiber and tons of nutrients.

Unlike mushy or soft vegetables and fruits, the crunchy ones will strengthen your teeth in the long run. If you have children, it’s important to encourage them to consume hard to chew vegetables and fruits regularly. Stop helping them chew by cutting their food into tiny pieces. Let those jaws get to work!

3.      Switch to a soft-bristled brush

You probably know that you should change your toothbrush every three months or when you notice the bristles becoming frayed. If you are currently using a toothbrush with hard bristles, you should replace it now. Very firm bristles may leave your teeth cleaner.

However, they can be abrasive and damaging in the long run. A soft-bristled brush is perfect for you. There’s no need to brush your teeth too vigorously because you’ll end up hurting your gums. When brushing your teeth, apply little pressure and tilt the brush at a 45-degree angle against the gums. Plus, brush in short circular motions to increase the surface area.

4.      Start from the back

Starting from the back while brushing your teeth will make it easier for you to clean the hard to reach spots in your molars.

Failing to start from the back will increase your chances of getting cavities and gum disease. The back is just as important as the front. Therefore, make it a habit to start from the back to avoid missing crucial spots.

5.      Avoid brushing too often

You should brush your teeth after every meal; not in between. Brushing your teeth too often will damage the enamel of your teeth and gums. You need to brush your teeth only twice a day to protect your teeth and gums.

So what should you do consuming a snack at 11 AM? Rinse with plain water. Forcing water in between your teeth will dislodge food particles and boost your hygiene.

6.      Limit the intake of sugary drinks

Sugary drinks will not only erode your teeth but also increase your chances of getting cavities. You should limit the intake of sugary drinks such as soda, cream or sweetened coffee and tea. Also, it’s better to consume these drinks once instead of sipping them throughout the entire day.

When you expose your mouth to sugar every time, bacteria will use sugar as a source of food and metabolize it to lactic acid which dissolves essential minerals in your teeth. And this leads to cavities.

7.      Clean your toothbrush holder

When was the last time you cleaned your toothbrush holder? If you are like most people, you probably cleaned it a few months ago. Remember, your toothbrush holder doesn’t just hold your brush. It holds onto tons of germs that are present in your bathroom.

According to the National Sanitation Foundation, toothbrush holders are the third-best habitat for germs in a household. (The kitchen sink sponge takes the first spot.) Wash it with soapy water and wipe with a disinfectant at least once a week to maintain your oral hygiene.

8.      Wait before brushing

Do you start your morning with a glass of orange or citrus fruit juices? You’ll have to wait for a couple of minutes before brushing your teeth.

Foods with high acidity levels soften the enamel temporarily. If you brush your teeth immediately after consuming citrus fruits, you’ll end up removing some of your enamel and this will make your teeth susceptible to decay in the long run.

The best thing you can do after consuming acidic fruits and soda or wine is delaying brushing your teeth. Research shows that people who wait thirty to sixty minutes have less wear on their teeth than those who brush immediately.

9.      Get braces if you need them

Braces are tools that are used to straighten your teeth so that you can bite food correctly and have an easier task when cleaning them. Braces will address crookedness or crowding to teeth thus preventing underbites, overbites, and crossbites.

Straightened teeth are not only easier to brush but also improve your looks in the long run. If you have to wear braces, you have to do sooner rather than later. Unlike the past, there are a variety of brace options available to make you feel comfortable while wearing them.

10. Avoid smoking

How could we forget this one? Several studies have linked smoking with a variety of oral diseases. Most smokers have yellow or brown teeth with eroded gums. And this is not a pleasant sight at all. Not to forget bad breath.

Conclusion

There are billions of bacteria living in our mouths at any one time. If not controlled, these bacteria will lead to plaque, tooth decay and a host of dangerous oral diseases. You have to take care of your teeth by practicing good oral hygiene every day.

Even after whitening your teeth, you’ll have to adopt new habits for the effects to last in the long run. By following the tips outlined in this guide, you’ll not only protect your teeth but also boost your self-esteem with a beautiful smile.

Bio

Jane Evans is a blogger and writer at essay writing service from York. She loves traveling and meeting new people. She also enjoys sharing her insights on modern art, literature, computer games, and new technologies. Find Jane on LinkedIn and Twitter.