Protecting Your Investment: 5 Expert-approved Ways of Maintaining Your Whitened Smile

Teeth whitening is one of our office’s most popular cosmetic services because of its simplicity and effectiveness. Patients achieve dramatic transformations in a single visit, and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. 

Once we have transformed your smile with teeth whitening, that’s not all. Maintenance is key to ensure you enjoy your white smile year after year. Irvington Dental in Streamwood, Illinois, shares expert tips to maintain your glowing smile. 

Tips to maintain your brightened smile

Whether you have lightened your smile with in-office or take-home whitening trays, the journey to a bright smile doesn’t end there. Stains can slowly creep back onto your teeth over time, ruining your investment. That’s why proper maintenance is essential to ensure you keep enjoying your radiant smile. 

1. Good oral hygiene

Maintaining your teeth is beyond a simple brush-and-go approach. Proper brushing techniques are the foundation of a healthy smile. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean your teeth. Brush twice daily for at least two minutes to ensure a thorough clean. Be gentle but thorough. Overzealous brushing can wear down your teeth over time. 

Although brushing is essential, remember your toothbrush can’t reach every surface. Flossing targets areas between teeth and along the gum line. Floss your teeth at once daily before bedtime, although doing it twice won’t hurt. 

2. Watch out for staining foods.

A good diet of veggies, dairy products, calcium, etc., is vital for your teeth and gums. However, certain foods are notorious for staining your teeth. Coffee, soda, red wine, and berries can dull your teeth over time. Limit the consumption of staining foods and beverages to maintain the brightness of your smile. 

When you indulge in these substances, use a straw for beverages or pair them with a crunchy vegetable like a carrot. Also, rinse or brush your teeth soon after to minimize their staining effects. 

3. Routine dental visits

Even with good oral hygiene, don’t forget about regular dental visits. The dentist professionally cleans your teeth to remove surface stains, plaque, and tartar from areas you can’t reach with your toothbrush. 

4. Quit tobacco use

Tobacco—whether smoked or chewed—contains tar and nicotine, which seep into tooth enamel and cause deep, stubborn stains. Over time, these stains turn teeth yellow or brown, making them difficult to remove with regular brushing.

Besides staining, tobacco contributes to plaque buildup, gum disease, and dry mouth, all of which worsen discoloration. Quit tobacco use to maintain the shine of your smile. Better yet, a tobacco-free lifestyle improves overall oral health, reducing the risk of oral cancer, periodontal disease, and bad breath.

5. Get regular touch-ups

Even with good at-home care, your teeth pick up stains over time. Regular touch-ups at the dental office or with your whitening kit can restore your teeth to their former glory. 

Professional teeth whitening services near me

Teeth whitening in Streamwood, Illinois, is a convenient method for improving the appearance of your smile. Don’t let tooth stains mar your confidence and aesthetics. Call (331) 245-2969 and enjoy professional teeth whitening at Irvington Dental. Drs. Jae Yeon Choi, Joshua Rhee, and Joon Han look forward to helping you achieve a radiant smile. 

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