Transforming your smile doesn’t have to leave you broke. Teeth whitening in Knoxville, IL, is a safe, fast, effective, and affordable way to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. In-office teeth whitening uses advanced technology and state-of-the-art tools to erase dark stains on the surface of your teeth. The entire procedure won’t take more than an hour.
Some patients can also opt for whitening trays because of their convenience. However, we suggest you get your whitening trays from your dentist because over-the-counter trays are not as effective and may potentially destroy your teeth.
After a successful treatment, maintaining your smile’s brightness is the next step. We’ve compiled several rules you must follow to preserve your pearly whites.
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Rules to Keep Your Teeth Bright After In-office Teeth Whitening
Avoid Drinks That Stain
The most critical period after in-office teeth whitening is the first three days. By this time, you must, at all costs, avoid drinks that can easily stain your teeth. Examples of these drinks are the following:
- Pasta sauces
- Tomato juice
- Beer
- Smoothies
- Coffee
- Fruit juices
- Red wine
- Tea
- Sodas
These drinks are darkly pigmented. Keep in mind that your teeth are porous and absorb anything you put inside your mouth. But if you can’t help yourself, you may use a straw so that the liquid will bypass your newly whitened teeth.
Stay Away from Teeth-Staining Foods
Besides beverages, you must also carefully choose your foods well. Some foods can stain your teeth. As much as possible, avoid greasy and acidic foods and anything that uses artificial coloring. These foods not only stain your teeth but can also damage them. The following is a list of foods you should avoid after having your teeth whitened at the dental office:
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Milk chocolate
- Dark chocolate
- Mango
- Plum
- Kiwi
- Red meat
- Spinach
- Beets
- Carrots
- Tomatoes
- Ketchup
- Soy sauce
- Barbecue sauce
- Spices like turmeric, paprika, curry, etc.
The food and drinks mentioned above will stain your teeth with or without treatment. But the effects will be much worse after professional whitening treatment because your teeth are more vulnerable to stains. It can be challenging to remember everything; that’s why cosmetic dentists suggest you remember the white shirt test. Anything that can stain a white shirt will also stain your teeth.
Quit Smoking Tobacco
Did you know smoking tobacco products can severely discolor your teeth? Smoking right after treatment worsens its effects. Patients who couldn’t control the urge and smoke after treatment usually return to the clinic for touch-ups because of visible stains. To protect your newly whitened teeth, we suggest you quit smoking. If you can’t make this commitment, teeth whitening may not be for you.
Choose Your Dental Hygiene Products
After treatment, you can go back to your usual oral care routine but be careful with the products you choose because some products can stain your teeth.
One example is toothpastes that contain stannous fluoride, which is a substance known to cause some staining.
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Are You Ready for Teeth Whitening in Knoxville, IL?
Professional teeth whitening is proven effective in keeping your smiles youthful and bright, but to make the most out of the procedure, you must strictly follow the abovementioned rules. At Smalltown Dental, we offer cosmetic dental treatments to transform your smile, including professional teeth whitening. Contact us today for a consultation.
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