So you shelled out for professional teeth whitening in Easton PA to achieve that gorgeous, megawatt celebrity smile. But how long will it realistically last before declining into dullness again? With the right maintenance strategy, you can preserve your brilliantly lightened teeth for over a year, or even indefinitely!
Read on to learn expert tips for protecting your bright new smile after in-office whitening so you safeguard your investment – and keep wowing people with your radiance.
The First 48 Hours Are Critical
In the initial couple days following intensive whitening procedures like Zoom or laser brightening, your enamel remains ultra-vulnerable. Whitening chemicals create temporary pores deep within teeth allowing stains to escape. However, those little holes also provide easy entry points for new discoloration.
So for at least 48 hours post-whitening, rigorously avoid any coloring culprits:
- Red wine, coffee, dark sodas, tomato sauces, curry dishes, berry smoothies or other deeply pigmented foods and drinks
- Smoking cigarettes or cigars
- Swimming in chlorinated pools
The good news? Those tiny pores seal themselves back up within a couple days. Once your enamel re-hardens, normal light staining activities pose less risk again. But certain habits still take an incremental toll on your bright smile. So follow these long-term steps to safeguard your investment…
Brush and Floss Religiously
Consistent, thorough oral hygiene clears away new plaque before it calcifies into tartar that yellows enamel. Brushing lightly after each meal or drink helps prevent new stains from setting in. Use soft-bristle brushes and toothpaste formulated for whitening maintenance. And don’t forget to floss daily as well – a necessity for fighting discoloration between teeth.
Rinse With Whitening Mouthwash
Whitening mouthwashes contain hydrogen peroxide to subtly lift extrinsic stains from enamel over time. For maximum impact against declining brightness, swish the whitening wash in your mouth for a full 60 seconds twice a day. Target especially hard-to-reach spots like the tongue side of front teeth and inner tooth surfaces.
Limit Staining Drinks to Mealtimes
Sure, you don’t have to fully abstain from beloved drinks like coffee, black tea, cola or wine post-whitening. But at least restrict consumption to meal times only. Sipping dark liquids continuously throughout the day allows tiny bits of residue to build up faster. Limiting staining drinks to just once or twice a day with your food prevents the gradual erosion of your gleaming smile.
Skip the Chromogens While Eating
You might not even realize many healthy foods also leach color over the long term. Berries, tomato sauces, balsamic vinaigrettes, curry spices, beetroots, and soy sauce are all chock full of chromogens that subtly ding white enamel. Whenever possible, choose lighter alternatives like lemon or herb chicken, fruit salads, white marinara, and vinaigrettes with less red wine vinegar. Or thoroughly rinse with water right after eating chromogen-heavy meals.
Say No to Smoking
Simply put: smoking is the worst offender when it comes to rapidly reversing professional whitening efforts. Both the tar and nicotine are intensely pigmented substances that seep into microscopic enamel cracks. Just one or two cigarettes is enough to make teeth visibly dingier again. Insist on kicking the habit altogether to safeguard your vibrant smile. Or consider vaping clear liquids only.
DIY Touch-Ups Between Full Treatments
Over time, recurrent light exposure from maintenance habits gradually shifts teeth toward yellowish tones again. You can restore lost brightness at home between deeper professional treatments with custom-fitted whitening trays from your dentist. Use them periodically as needed when you notice fading. For most people, a 30 to 60-minute top-up session once every month or two renews a glowing Hollywood smile.
Taking proactive steps to prevent new staining preserves your investment in sparkling whiteness for the long haul. So implement smart precautions, listen to your dentist’s guidance, and stay committed to showcasing your radiant new smile for years to come!
Best Clinic For Professional Teeth Whitening in Williamsport PA – Haddad Dental
If you’re seeking the brightest, most dazzling white smile in Williamsport, PA or the surrounding Lehigh Valley area, the premier clinic is Haddad Dental. Run by Dr. Haddad, leading Dentist in Williamsport, PA with over 25 years of cosmetic dentistry experience and uses industry-leading whitening technology right in the convenience of his modern dental office. Their professional process achieves dramatically whiter teeth in only one visit, for a boost of up to eight shades, with results lasting over a year. Dr. Haddad customizes each treatment session with the ideal timing and hydrogen peroxide concentration tailored specifically to your current discoloration level and enamel sensitivity thresholds. Patients rave that the moderate tingling sensation subsides quickly while the unmatched luminosity lasts indefinitely with proper at-home maintenance. So for the whitest and brightest smile around, partner with Easton’s top cosmetic dentistry clinic, Haddad Dental, for your next professional Zoom session.
