Teeth whitening remains one of the most economical ways to enhance your smile. According to an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry survey, 99.7 percent of adults polled believe a smile is an important social asset. When respondents were asked, “What would you like to improve most about your smile?” The most common response was whiter and brighter teeth. There are various ways to whiten your teeth, but the two most common are in-office treatments and the do-it-yourself approach with over-the-counter products. It is important to talk to your dentist before deciding to whiten your teeth, as whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration and involve bleaching agents that, if not used correctly, can damage the enamel of your teeth. Learn the do’s and don’ts of teeth whitening to ensure you have success with whitening your smile.
Do Practice Good Oral Hygiene Before Whitening
If you are choosing to use over-the-counter whitening strips to whiten your teeth, keep in mind that these products are designed to be used in a healthy mouth. If you have buildup on your teeth, you are not going to achieve the results you are looking for. Brushing and flossing are essential parts of preparing for teeth whitening, but so is visiting your dentist for a good cleaning. For best results, schedule your 6-month dental checkup and cleaning right before you plan on starting a whitening system. By doing this, you will be whitening the enamel on your teeth–not the buildup.
Don’t Consume Foods that Can Stain Your Teeth
For both over-the-counter and professional teeth whitening, the first few days after treatment are the most critical. Avoid dark foods/liquids, drink through a straw when you can, don’t smoke, brush/floss frequently and you should be looking great.
Keep in mind, the less you indulge in “staining” foods and drinks, the longer your results should last. You don’t need to give up staining foods completely, but you do need to avoid them when you are doing teeth whitening. Coffee, tea, wine, blueberries, dark-colored sodas and fruit juices are big-time stainers. If you are not sure if something will stain your teeth, think of it this way, foods that can stain your white carpet, can stain your teeth.
Do Avoid Acidic Foods
Acidic foods break down the enamel on your teeth which makes them more porous and more inclined to absorb stains from the food and drinks you consume. A common culprit of this type of tooth destruction is soda or carbonated drinks. If you consume these drinks often, overtime you will notice your teeth dulling in color or even yellowing. And don’t be fooled into thinking a diet soda, or a clear soda won’t do as much damage–sodas have almost the same acidic level regardless of their color. Some other drinks to watch out for are grapefruit juice, tomato juice and lemonade because of their high acidic content. If you want to succeed with your whitening, you want to watch what you are eating for success.
Do Check When Your Teeth Whitening Products Expire
We all want a bargain, but watch out for flash sales on tooth whitening kits. Often, the reason why these kits are on sale is because they are close to their expiration date. If you plan on using the product before it expires you are fine, but if you think it might be a while, don’t purchase the product. Whitening gel’s main ingredient for whitening is hydrogen peroxide. Over time, hydrogen peroxide changes to water and oxygen. If you try and use a whitening kit after its expiration date, chances are you will only be getting gel and water as the oxygen will have leaked from the package. The oxygen is the key component for whitening your teeth. For best results with whitening, throw away any product you find in your home that has passed its expiration date.
Don’t Store Whitening Strips in Hot Temperatures
If you are planning on hitting the grocery store and then leaving them in the car, don’t make this trip the one when you pick up your whitening products. Heat can inactivate the peroxide in whitening strips,so leaving them in a hot car while you run errands is a bad idea. On the flip side, if you don’t plan to use your whitening products right away, storing them in the refrigerator can help to extend their shelf life.
Do Apply Touch-Ups In Between Whitening Treatments
Most over-the-counter whitening kits recommend an application every six months. To keep your smile looking bright, and to avoid having to undergo the initial whitening process all over again, try doing one day’s whitening application once or twice a month. Be careful not to apply the strips more often than that, though, since overuse can irritate gums.
Don’t Buy Generics
We all want to find ways to stretch our budget, but when it comes to whitening kits, this is not an area you want to choose the generic version over the name brand version. Generic whitening kits may contain the same active peroxide ingredient, but they are not tested to ensure effectiveness. Furthermore, with generic versions you can’t be certain how some of the differing inactive ingredients will interact with the peroxide. Dentist-dispensed and over-the-counter, home-use tooth whitening bleaches are eligible for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. The products in this category that currently bear the ADA Seal contain 10 percent carbamide peroxide; however, participation in the program is not limited to products of this concentration or type of bleach and are recommended for your use. Look for this seal of acceptance on your tooth whitening products to ensure their effectiveness or talk with your dentist.
Call for a Teeth Whitening Appointment Today!
If you are interested in having a whiter, brighter smile, contact Mountain Aire Dentistry today at (303) 731-7755. During your visit, we will answer any questions you may have and provide expert recommendations on how you can reach all of your smile goals. Dr. Bockrath is highly skilled and trained to provide a variety of dental services. Our office is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure you receive the best possible care. We believe that everyone deserves to experience the life-altering benefits of a radiant, healthy smile. Dr. Bockrath is a family dentist in Broomfield, Colorado, with convenient access to the communities of Thornton, Broomfield, Northglenn and Westminster.
