Patients with stained, yellowed, or discolored teeth may benefit from professional teeth whitening. With an in-office appointment, your dentist can whiten your teeth by first applying a bleaching gel to your teeth. Then your dentist will use concentrated light to activate whitening agents to leave you with an enhanced smile. Once you are satisfied with your smile’s appearance, you will want to make sure the cosmetic effects are long-lasting. Dr. Kim Westermann, a dentist in Louisville, KY, offers advice for keeping your teeth bright after professional whitening.
Avoid staining agents
Tooth discoloration can sometimes occur due to elements outside of a patient’s control, such as aging or medicinal side effects. However, substances you put into your mouth may be staining your teeth. Dark-colored foods and drinks have tannins that can absorb into tooth enamel to leave stains on teeth, even after a professional whitening treatment. Examples of these include red wine, coffee, and tea. Substances like these should be avoided or enjoyed in moderation to protect your teeth color.
Practice good oral hygiene
Proper oral hygiene habits can keep your mouth clean and healthy enough to better resist tooth discoloration. This entails brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. Ideally, flossing should be done at night to remove plaque that develops during the day. If left untreated, plaque can harden into tartar and cause tooth decay and gum disease. You can also rinse with mouthwash to eliminate plaque from difficult to reach places in your mouth. These habits can make sure your teeth and gums are strong and better able to fight staining agents that can harm your smile’s appearance.
Visit your dentist
Regular dental visits are part of a good oral hygiene routine. During these appointments, your dentist will clean plaque and tartar from your teeth, especially in spots of your mouth missed with traditional brushing. Your dentist can also give you a fluoride treatment to strengthen your tooth enamel. These appointments also provide a good opportunity to ask your dental professional about whitening touch-ups if you would like to maintain your smile aesthetic goals.
Professional teeth whitening available in Louisville, KY
Westermann Family Dentistry offers professional teeth whitening and other cosmetic dental services to patients in Louisville, KY. Dr. Westermann also specializes in general and restorative dentistry for patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 502.219.3168.