How to Help Your Child Remain Consistent with Invisalign
Any time you invest in your child’s health, you want to ensure the outcome. Here, we discuss ways to help your teen get with the program and get the most out of Invisalign®.
How to Extend the Results of Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is a popular and affordable cosmetic procedure that can improve the look of your smile. With this treatment, your dingy and discolored teeth become bright and sparkling in a short amount of time. The results of your professional teeth whitening treatment leave you with a more radiant smile, but the process does not produce permanent results.
So what can you do to help avoid staining your pearly whites? At Rifkin Dental, our dental experts can provide you with the right tips and tools for extending the results of your whitening treatment. Here are some of them, along with some background information.
What contributes to tooth discoloration?
Several factors contribute to the yellowing or darkening of your teeth. As you age, the enamel of your teeth becomes more susceptible to stains. Certain medications like tetracycline or excessive fluoride can cause tooth discoloration in the early stages of tooth formation. Drinks like red wine, tea, and coffee also stain teeth. Regular tobacco use causes yellowing and diminishes your oral health over time.
You might be tempted to try one of the whitening products from your local drugstore, but professional whitening is far more effective than traditional over-the-counter systems.
At Rifkin Dental, we examine your mouth and review your medical history to determine if professional whitening is right for you. People whose teeth are brown, gray, or purple in appearance might not benefit from tooth bleaching. Patients whose teeth become discolored because of the thinning of their enamel or dental trauma would be better suited for veneers or crowns.
What to expect from a teeth whitening treatment
We create custom whitening trays that are made to fit your mouth perfectly. We provide a bleaching gel and instructions on how to adhere to your treatment plan. The trays ensure that the whitening agent reaches all of your teeth evenly. Over-the-counter products, by contrast, have unreliable ingredients, weaker solutions, and guidelines for safe use that are often unclear.
To achieve the best results, you should wear your trays for a half-hour every day for a week. By the end of the first week, your teeth should be noticeably brighter. If you experience tooth or gum sensitivity, we may prescribe medication to help alleviate the temporary discomfort. Our team of professionals is equipped to give you expert quality whitening products that are guaranteed to deliver dazzling results.
How can I maintain my results?
To keep your teeth white for as long as possible, you should practice good oral hygiene and avoid foods and beverages that cause staining. Here are some things to avoid following a teeth whitening treatment:
- Tobacco products
- Dark-colored beverages
- Coffee and tea
- Red wine
- Food coloring
Brushing and flossing regularly or soon after eating or drinking helps extend your results. Schedule checkups and dental cleanings with our office every six months to keep your teeth beautiful, white, and healthy. Electing to undergo periodic whitening treatments also helps your teeth from becoming discolored.
If you’re considering professional teeth whitening as an option, call our office or book an appointment online today.
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