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Many factors in life can make stains appear in your teeth, from coffee and wine to dark foods, such as berries. When this undermines your confidence in your smile, it makes sense to look into teeth whitening in Pembroke Pines. 

However, excessive teeth whitening can cause serious health problems such as enamel erosion and gum irritation. To avoid this, here are some tips to make your teeth whitening treatments more effective and produce longer-lasting results.  

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

How often you need to whiten your teeth depends heavily on the products you use and the active agents they’re made of. 

-Whitening strip’s results can last from six months to two years. 

-Whitening trays can last for up to a year. 

–Teeth whitening toothpaste is a temporary stain remover, so it will not produce significant results. 

-Professional whitening can last for up to three years. 

Unlike dental veneers or ceramic crowns, teeth whitening is a temporary treatment. That’s because the outer layer of your teeth, known as enamel, is covered in thousands of tiny, porous openings or tubules.  

These can trap stain particles, causing teeth to darken with time. As you go on with your life, foods, beverages, and habits like smoking will progressively wash away your whitening results. To avoid that, here are a few tips:

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene is the best way to keep your smile bright and beautiful.  

The worst stains happen when you give coloring agents enough time to penetrate your teeth’s enamel for a longer time, so brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste takes away their chance to settle. 

Drink Plenty of Water

Staying hydrated has many well-known benefits for overall health, including dental health. Drinking water can wash away plaque, food particles, and bacteria, keeping your mouth clean and removing stains from your enamel. 

Avoid Stain-Causing Liquids and Foods Immediately After Whitening

Try to avoid any dark foods or liquids for at least 24 hours after whitening your teeth. Immediately after the process, teeth are more susceptible to staining, which can seriously hamper the longevity of your white smile. 

Some beverages to avoid are coffee, tea, or sugary drinks. The same goes for certain types of food, like berries and tomato sauces, since they also leave stains on your enamel. 

If you cannot live without coffee, drink it through a straw. This allows the dark liquids to pass right past your top front teeth. 

Use a Whitening Toothpaste

You can use whitening toothpaste to control tooth stains and discoloration. These are made with hydrogen peroxide, which helps reduce surface stains.  

As long as it contains fluoride to fight cavities and has the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Seal of Acceptance, you can add it to your hygiene routine, feeling confident the product lives up to its claims. 

Avoid Smoking

Smoking or using tobacco products will discolor your teeth over time. Nowadays, cigarettes contain chemicals that adhere to the enamel, leaving stains or simply coloring the entire tooth with a yellowish or brownish tint. 

Try to avoid them, especially during the first few hours after a whitening treatment. If you can’t help it, make sure to rinse your mouth with water right afterward to get rid of some of the nicotine and tobacco particles before they settle into your teeth.  

Read the Instructions Carefully

Each whitening product has its own guidelines for use. To get the most out of a product, follow the manufacturer’s directions. 

For example, some treatments require you to brush your teeth immediately before or after the procedure. Others may not do this because the fluoride in your toothpaste may remove the whitening agent. 

However, other whitening products must be washed immediately to avoid eroding your teeth’s enamel, making your gums feel tingly, and suffering from tooth sensitivity. 

Get a Dentist Checkup

If you haven’t had a professional dental cleaning in a while, make an appointment before you whiten your teeth. Tartar and plaque buildup prevent the whitening gel from penetrating your teeth, resulting in uneven and patchy results.   

Get Professional Teeth Whitening in Pembroke Pines

The best way to get long-lasting results is to get in-house whitening at Village Square Dental. Professional treatment lasts considerably longer than over-the-counter products, and it’s done carefully so that your mouth doesn’t suffer from any damage.

If you’re interested, give us a call!