If you wish you had a brighter smile, you aren’t alone. Research shows that nearly 80% of Americans say they want whiter teeth. However, achieving that goal through good oral hygiene isn’t always possible.
Tooth enamel naturally loses its luster with age, and habits such as drinking coffee, smoking, or eating lots of tomato-based foods can increase the risk of stains and discoloration. The good news is that professional teeth whitening, a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment, can help.
At the Center for Implant & Esthetic Dentistry in Beverly Hills, California, Dr. Ramin Mahallati and our team offer in-office and at-home teeth whitening.
This article covers everything you need to know to maintain a bright smile after your professional teeth whitening treatment is finished.
It’s important to prepare before undergoing professional teeth whitening. Although the procedure presents few risks, your teeth and gums must be healthy beforehand.
First, we complete an oral exam and dental X-rays. This lets us identify any potential issues, such as cavities or gum disease. If these or other concerns are present, we treat them first.
This approach supports your overall oral health and reduces the risk of side effects, such as gum irritation, that could delay your recovery.
In the days leading up to your teeth whitening treatment, brush twice daily and floss regularly. We’ll also perform a professional teeth cleaning on the day of your whitening session to ensure your teeth are plaque and tartar-free.
Professional teeth whitening typically takes 60-90 minutes.
After you’re finished, you can return to your normal routine immediately. However, it’s important to follow a “white diet” for at least 48 hours. That means avoiding:
If you quickly revert to these habits, it can affect how white your results are and cause stains to return sooner than they would naturally.
Similarly, practice good oral hygiene. It’s normal for your teeth to feel sensitive after whitening, but that doesn’t mean you should skip brushing and flossing.
Professional teeth whitening results typically last 3-4 months, and sometimes longer. However, you must practice good oral hygiene to maintain them. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss once daily, and rinse with antibacterial mouthwash.
Certain lifestyle changes can also help extend your results. For example, if you regularly drink coffee or black tea, consider using a straw to prevent the tannins in these beverages from making contact with your teeth.
We also recommend limiting acidic foods, such as citrus and tomato-based sauces, as they can weaken your enamel and make your teeth look dull.
Even if you follow our instructions perfectly, professional teeth whitening isn’t permanent. That means that it’s important to have realistic expectations. We encourage you to visit us twice a year for professional teeth cleanings, where we can monitor your results.
Many people benefit from whitening touch-ups every 3-4 months. These maintenance sessions don’t take as long as the initial procedure, but they can help your smile stay bright.
If you’re unhappy with the shade or brightness of your smile, professional teeth whitening is worth considering. After discussing your goals and completing an oral exam and dental X-rays, we can make custom treatment recommendations.
Both in-office teeth whitening and take-home teeth whitening trays can brighten your smile and help you feel more confident.
Contact the Center for Implant & Esthetic Dentistry in Beverly Hills today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mahallati.
