How Can I Maintain My Newly Whitened Teeth for the Long Term?

A bright and radiant smile is a confidence booster, but maintaining your pearly whites requires consistency and an understanding of what to do — and what to avoid — to keep your teeth looking their best. If you've recently had your teeth professionally whitened or you’re considering in-office whitening treatments in Fort Loramie, OH, keep reading to find helpful post-whitening maintenance tips from Dr. Christopher Ashby and the knowledgeable team at Fort Loramie Dental Center.

Should I get my teeth whitened?

Deciding to have your teeth whitened by a dentist is a personal choice, and depends primarily on your individual goals and preferences. If you're looking to enhance the appearance of your smile, remove stubborn stains, and enjoy a more youthful and aesthetically pleasing look, professional teeth whitening can be an effective option that provides dramatic results.

How much whiter can my teeth get with professional teeth whitening?

The degree of whitening you can achieve with professional teeth whitening varies from person to person. However, most patients can expect to achieve teeth that are several shades whiter than their original color. This will depend on a number of factors, including the type of stains on your teeth, the severity of your tooth discoloration, and the specific whitening method used.

Can my teeth get yellow again after tooth whitening?

It is possible for your teeth to become discolored over time, even after professional teeth whitening. While the treatment can yield impressive results, it does not prevent new stains from developing in the future. Over time, factors like diet, lifestyle choices, and aging can contribute to gradual changes in the shade of your teeth. However, with proper care and appropriate diet and lifestyle choices, it is certainly possible to maintain your whiter smile for many years.

What should I do to keep my teeth white after in-office teeth whitening treatments?

To keep your teeth white after in-office teeth whitening treatments, consider the following tips:

• Brush and floss twice per day
• Avoid staining foods and beverages, like coffee, tea, and red wine
• Drink through a straw when possible, particularly with staining beverages
• Rinse your mouth after eating or drinking something that is known to stain the teeth
• Do not smoke
• Use a whitening toothpaste as recommended
• Consider touch-up treatments over time
• Ask us about your options for at-home teeth whitening kits

Are professional whitening treatments really better than over-the-counter whitening kits?

Professional teeth whitening treatments are generally considered more effective and provide more consistent results compared to over-the-counter or grocery store teeth whitening kits. This is in part due to the fact that professional treatments are administered by skilled professionals using professional-grade products with a higher concentration of the active whitening agent. Additionally, over-the-counter teeth whitening products typically only address surface stains, while professional whitening treatments can target deeper-set and more severe tooth staining and discoloration.

Let your radiant smile shine with professional teeth whitening in Fort Loramie, OH

If your teeth have become dull or yellow over time, or if you have deep stains due to certain medications and other factors, professional teeth whitening may be the solution you’ve been searching for to restore a beautiful smile you can show off with confidence. To learn more about the tooth whitening options offered at Fort Loramie Dental Center, call to schedule your consultation with Fort Loramie, OH, dentist and teeth whitening provider Dr. Christopher Ashby today.