Getting Rid of Gum Disease

Whitening treatments can leave you feeling like you've got a perfect new smile. However, it's important to understand that the effects of whitening treatments won't last forever if you're not careful in the weeks and months afterwards.

The following are six mistakes to avoid to ensure that your teeth look dazzlingly white for as long as possible after your whitening treatment:

Using toothpaste that isn't formulated for whitening

When it comes to keeping your teeth white, not all toothpastes are created equal. Some toothpastes are specially formulated for patients who are looking for ways to whiten their teeth.

Whitening toothpastes usually contain hydrogen peroxide and mild abrasives that scrub debris off of teeth. It's important to use this kind of toothpaste to enhance the effects of your whitening treatment.

Using tobacco

Smoking and using chewing tobacco will stain teeth because they expose your teeth to tar and nicotine. No matter how much you brush and floss, you're going to have trouble keeping your teeth white if you're a regular smoker.

Shirking on your oral care regime

A lot of patients assume that they don't have to try so hard when it comes to oral care after their whitening treatment. However, you'll quickly notice that the results you at first enjoyed disappear if you don't continue to regularly brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash after you've had your teeth whitened.

Consuming stain causing beverages

If you have a habit of drinking a lot of black coffee or red wine, you should try to break the habit before your whitening treatment. These two beverages are known to cause stains on the teeth.

Try to switch to other beverages that don't cause stains so that you don't quickly stain your teeth again after they've been whitened. 

Not putting the time and effort into touchup treatments

Even if you avoid all of these mistakes and take good care of your teeth, eventually the effects of teeth whitening treatments will wear off.

However, you can keep your teeth white long after you've had your teeth whitened with touchup treatments you do at home. Try doing some touchup treatments on your own by getting whitening strips you can put on at your convenience in your own home.

Neglecting the dentist afterwards

A whitening treatment doesn't make up for missing a thorough cleaning at the dentist office.

Cleanings at the office aren't only important for keeping your teeth looking clean and white. They also help you to avoid cavities that can sometimes detract from the appearance of your smile even after they have been filled. For more information on teeth whitening and other cosmetic dentistry services, hop on over to a site like https://valleyoakdentalgroup.com/.