Over time, stains can develop on the surface of your teeth. You may also notice yellowing or other discoloration affecting your teeth’s appearance. Professional whitening treatment from your dentist can give you a brighter smile.
Once you receive cosmetic dental treatment, you will likely want to ensure you can enjoy these benefits for as long as you can. Dr. Sulekha Agrawal, a dentist in Columbia, MD, offers advice for keeping your teeth looking their best after a whitening treatment.
Avoid Foods with Staining Agents
Dark-colored foods and drinks contain tannins that can absorb into tooth enamel and stain your teeth, even after you have had professional teeth whitening treatment. Red wine, coffee, and tea are examples of beverages that can cause tooth discoloration.
To protect your tooth color, you should limit your exposure to these food items. Awareness of which foods can harm your smile can make sure you are able to keep your smile whiter for a longer period of time.
Practice Proper Oral Hygiene
Plaque develops over your teeth throughout your day and weakens enamel, leaving your smile at risk of structural and cosmetic harm. Proper oral hygiene practices remove this plaque and keep your teeth healthy and better able to retain the cosmetic enhancement of whitening treatment.
A good oral hygiene regimen involves brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. Rinsing with mouthwash can boost your routine by removing plaque and lingering food particles that may be missed by brushing.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
A major part of your oral hygiene regimen is scheduling regular cleaning appointments with your dentist. During these visits, your dentist will clear plaque build-up from difficult to reach spots of your mouth, including near the gumline, in order to promote good oral health.
Dentists recommend attending these routine appointments every six months. These visits are also good opportunities to ask your dentist about potential touch-up appointments for your whitening treatment. With proper care and maintenance, you could experience cosmetic enhancement benefits from whitening treatment for three years.
Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Treatment in Columbia, MD
Columbia Family Dental Care offers teeth whitening and other cosmetic dental treatments to patients in Columbia, MD. Dr. Agrawal also specializes in restorative and general dentistry for patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment with our practice, contact us online or reach our office by phone at 410.221.3097.