There are plenty of reasons for getting your teeth whitened. Usually, it’s cosmetic – you want that superstar smile! Whatever your reason for getting teeth whitening may be, here are some do’s and don’ts you should be aware of before going into the process.

The Don’ts of Teeth Whitening

Don’t: Use Ill-Fitting Trays

At home trays often don’t fit your teeth, causing the whitening gel to get onto your gums and irritate them. It is better to get fitted whitening trays from your dentist, as this will ensure there is no leaking, and that you can get the best results. 

Don’t: Whiten Frequently

In your desire for that perfectly white smile, you may find yourself frustrated if you aren’t seeing the results you want from teeth whitening treatments. This may tempt you to do it more frequently. However, frequent teeth whitening can damage the enamel of your teeth, damage your gums, and cause tooth sensitivity. It’s best to consult with your dentist and follow a recommended plan. 

Don’t: Drink A Lot Of Staining/Acidic Drinks

Certain drinks can stain your teeth, especially if consumed frequently over a long period of time. These include: coffee, soda, red wine, and other dark-colored drinks. If you do indulge in these beverages, make sure you rinse your mouth and brush your teeth afterwards, to avoid your teeth getting stained. Cleaning your teeth is especially important with acidic drinks like sodas that don’t just have the potential to stain your teeth, but can also wear down the enamel.

Don’t: Eat An Excessive Amount Of Staining/Acidic Foods

Just as there are drinks that can stain your teeth, so too are there foods. These are usually dark in color, like chocolate and berries. Acidic foods like chocolate can also wear down the enamel of your teeth, just like acidic drinks. You can eat these foods, just make sure to brush after.

Don’t: Use Tobacco

Tobacco is another culprit behind teeth-staining. Tobacco use, especially frequent tobacco use, leads to yellowed teeth. Avoiding tobacco avoids a known cause of teeth stains.

The Do’s Of Teeth Whitening

Do: Practice Good Oral Hygiene

It’s important to have clean teeth in order for teeth whitening to work. Plaque or food residue can reduce the effectiveness of teeth whiteners. For the best results, brush your teeth, floss, use mouthwash, and make sure you go to your regular dental check-ups. Good dental hygiene is also important for stain prevention, making teeth whitening less necessary. 

Do: Whiten In Moderation

We all want bright white celebrity smiles, but over-doing whitening treatments can have adverse effects. Too much teeth-whitening can break down the enamel of your teeth and weaken them. For longest lasting results to keep teeth-whitening treatments to a minimum, practice good dental hygiene and be mindful of your consumption of staining drinks and foods.

Do: Have A Professional Whiten Your Teeth

Professional teeth whitening may be more initially than over the counter treatments, but it is both faster and more effective. With proper care, the results you see will last much longer than anything an over the counter treatment could do for you. Plus, if you stick with over the counter treatments, you may find yourself spending more on them trying to get the results you could get with a professional.

Do: Be Mindful Of The Kind Of Stains You Have

Different tooth stains call for different levels of treatment. Extrinsic stains are ones caused on the outside of a tooth by food or drink or smoking tobacco. These can be helped by over-the-counter treatments and whitening toothpastes and the like. Intrinsic stains are the ones on the inside of a tooth, caused by aging, genetic disorders, or things like fluorosis. These take longer to see results with, sometimes up to six months. 

Do: Consult Your Dentist

Teeth whitening can weaken the enamel of your teeth, especially in cases of over-used at home whitening kits. It’s important to set up an appointment with your dentist so that they can evaluate your teeth and recommend the best course of action for you. Teeth whitening is not right for everyone, as it can cause sensitivity in your teeth and too much can damage both your teeth and your gums. Your dentist will advise you on how much you can do, the results you can expect, and the treatments available to you.

Are You Considering Teeth Whitening?

Avenues Dental provides teeth whitening and can help you with questions related to teeth whitening. We can also help you with other dental services, both cosmetic and general. Contact us at Avenues Dental today!