Teeth Whitening Aftercare: How to Maintain Your White Smile

Choosing to invest in teeth whitening treatment is exciting; we know how much you’ll love your new, whiter and brighter smile! However, it is also important to understand how to maintain your whiter teeth for the long term.

There is no definitive answer to how long teeth whitening results will last, as every patient is different. Certain factors such as your diet and whether you smoke will affect your teeth whitening results, but your Clyde Munro dentist will be able to give you an estimate during your initial consultation.

At Clyde Munro, our teeth whitening dentists want you to achieve excellent whitening results that last, which is why we want to share some of our top teeth whitening aftercare tips with you.

Always choose professional teeth whitening

If you are considering teeth whitening treatment, you should always visit your dentist. We know that there are a wide range of outlets offering teeth whitening, but it is important to understand that, by law, teeth whitening can only be prescribed by a dental professional.

This is because teeth whitening is considered the practice of dentistry, anyone else offering the service is doing so illegally. Only professional teeth whitening kits contain the active ingredients – hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide – at a level that is both effective enough to achieve results and safe for patient use. We use Philips Zoom! teeth whitening at Clyde Munro dental practices, which are highly regulated to ensure both effectiveness and safety.

Not only will you ensure the products you are using are guaranteed to provide you with results, but your dentist will also carry out a check-up before prescribing your teeth whitening to ensure everything is okay to go ahead with treatment. In this way, you can ensure you are choosing safe teeth whitening and protecting the health of your teeth and gums.

Limit Foods That Discolour Teeth

Tooth discolouration or teeth staining occurs due to the foods and drinks we consume or lifestyle factors such as smoking or tobacco chewing. Your Clyde Munro dentist will always recommend trying to stop smoking prior to having teeth whitening treatment, not only for the benefit of your oral and general health but to ensure your teeth whitening results last. We can provide help and advice if you want to quit smoking!

Many people believe they need to follow a ‘white diet’ when they whiten their teeth, but this is not the case. Your teeth whitening gel will work to remove stains old and new; however, to enjoy your whiter shade for longer, we recommend limiting the consumption of foods and drinks that stain. For example, curries, tomatoes, tea, coffee, and red wine. Drinking through a straw can also help with this as it will ensure the liquid doesn’t touch your teeth, helping to maintain your whiter shade for longer between top-ups.

Maintain Your Dental Hygiene Routine

At Clyde Munro, we always promote the importance of an excellent dental hygiene routine for all of our patients. Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day, flossing once a day, and regularly attending dental check-ups and dental hygiene appointments will keep your teeth and gums healthy.

In addition, a great oral care regime will also help you to maintain that gorgeous new bright, white shade after teeth whitening treatment because it will keep your teeth clean and stain free. So don’t skip toothbrushing and don’t put off your hygienist appointments… clean teeth are whiter teeth.

Teeth Whitening and Sensitivity

It is very common for teeth whitening treatment to cause sensitivity, which can put some patients off. At Clyde Munro, we have listened to our patients who are concerned about having sensitive teeth after whitening, which is why we have chosen to work with a teeth whitening system that actively combats this problem and allows patients to whiten their teeth in the most comfortable way.

The Philips Zoom! whitening gel contains special ingredients to help combat sensitivity during the whitening treatment. In addition, after your in-chair whitening procedure, your Clyde Munro dentist will apply a post-treatment gel to help protect the tooth enamel and reduce sensitivity. This means you can confidently whiten your teeth with Clyde Munro, safe in the knowledge that you will experience little to no sensitivity.

Professional teeth whitening from your dentist is safe and effective, offering results that you’ll absolutely love. With these aftercare tips, you will be able to make the most of your treatment by maintaining your new brighter shade. You can also top up your smile at home with a single syringe of Philips Zoom! whitening gel, which may be included in your prescription as part of your treatment plan.

Ready for whiter teeth? Find your nearest Clyde Munro practice and book your appointment today.