How to Extend the Results of Teeth Whitening

Cosmetic changes have the power to transform the way you look and feel, as well as the way others perceive you. One of the easiest ways to make a quick and impactful change is to whiten your teeth. When your smile is bright and sparkling, you feel better about yourself, and it shows. You walk a little taller and smile a lot more. Your newfound self-confidence may even help you become more productive and successful.

If you’ve been wondering about how and where to whiten your teeth, you’re in luck. Dr. Cheyn Gunnerson right here in Payson, Utah, specializes in caring for your teeth and keeping you healthy and smiling for years to come. He uses the latest technology to make each visit in his chair pleasant and effective. 

When it comes to teeth whitening, we can offer you an in-office procedure that can get your teeth several shades whiter in just one visit. Or, if you’d rather go a little slower, our at-home treatment trays are just the thing to give you a gradual change. Either way, once you’ve reached your goal, you’ll want to do all you can to keep your smile white as long as possible. Here’s what we suggest. 

First, understand what stains your teeth

The more you know about the nature of teeth and the things that stain them, the better equipped you’ll be to keep them white. The most common threats to white teeth are foods and drinks that are acidic and/or rich in color. Acid is the enemy of your enamel and can wear it down. When this happens, it leaves your teeth unprotected against stains. It also exposes the yellow-tinted dentin underneath. 

Here are just a few of the foods and drinks you should avoid if you’re trying to keep your teeth their brightest:

• Berries
• Beets
• Wine
• Soda
• Coffee
• Sports drinks
• Dark chocolate

While food and drink are some of the most common culprits, they aren’t the only things that can affect the color of your teeth. Here are some of the other factors that can change the hue of your teeth:

• Heredity
• Chewing or smoking tobacco
• Prescription medications
• Injury to your teeth
• Bruxism (grinding your teeth)

Ways to prevent stained teeth

Keeping your teeth pearly white takes commitment. You may have to rethink that drink or forego that food. But beyond that, the rules are pretty simple and easy to follow. We’ve put together a brief list of things you can do to extend the life of your newly whitened teeth. 

1. Sip through a straw

When you drink from a glass, the liquid swishes across all your teeth; but when you sip through a straw, the liquid bypasses your front teeth and goes straight to the back. The less contact staining drinks have with your teeth, the fewer stains you’ll get. This might feel a little silly if you’re drinking wine at a fancy restaurant, but at least you’ll have white teeth. 

2. Swish, rinse, and spit

If you decide the straw isn’t for you and you simply must drink one of the offending beverages, the best thing to do is make sure it doesn’t sit in your mouth and on your teeth for too long. Simply swishing some water in your mouth will help to reduce the amount of time the stain has to sink into your teeth. Try alternating a sip of coffee or wine with a sip of water, and definitely be sure to rinse after every meal.  

We can also help you choose a good stain-fighting mouthwash that fits into your maintenance efforts nicely.

3. Up your brushing game

Obviously, brushing away food, drink, and bacteria is the best way to prevent teeth stains, but there’s a right way and a lot of wrong ways. If you’re not brushing effectively, you may be doing more harm than good. 

Do:

• Brush at least twice a day
• Floss
• Change your toothbrush when it becomes worn or frayed
• Use a soft-bristled brush
• Use a light hand and a gentle motion

Don’t:

• Brush for too long
• Brush too hard
• Rush through routine 
• Use a hard-bristled brush

These are just a few of the ways you can maintain the life of your whitened teeth. If you have specific needs, we can help you decide on the best methods for your lifestyle. 

When you’re ready to whiten your teeth and keep them that way, call us at (801) 658-0175 or book an appointment online.

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