You have got your teeth whitened and are loving the results. But, worried the colour and look of your teeth will wear off? If yes, you need to stay updated on a few instructions and steps that can help you keep your teeth as white as possible for a long time. One of the most important things to learn about maintaining your teeth whitening effect is to know when to get a touch-up on your whitening treatment.
Touch-ups are simple and less time-consuming compared to the teeth whitening treatment itself. They require you to wear your whitening tray for a few days back to back to regain your whiter and brighter smile.
Not sure when to get a touch-up for your whitening treatment? Here’s the answer:
- After your regular dental check-ups
At your regular dental check-up, you may expect the dentist to clean your teeth and remove any stains that may have built up since your last appointment! In addition, this is the best time to get a whitening touch-up for your teeth, as your enamel will react better to the whitening agents after cleaning.
- When changing your dental work
A tooth whitening touch-up is required before getting a new filling or crown, as bleaching agents may not work on these materials effectively. Matching the material’s colour (filling or crown) to your recently whitened teeth is best to avoid a mismatch between your teeth and new dental work.
- Frequently drinking certain beverages
If you are someone who has tea, coffee, soda, or red wine regularly, you may require a teeth whitening touch-up sooner than others. This is because these beverages can stain your teeth, making them look darker. Your enamel quickly absorbs the stain from darker liquids; hence if you are someone who drinks these beverages frequently, you’ll need a touch-up every 3 to 4 months.
How Often Can You Whiten Your Teeth?
The teeth whitening frequency for every individual differs depending on their tooth colour and diet. Once you get the desired shade of whiteness, it’s essential to maintain the results. Some people may require touch-ups once every 6 months, while others may need them to be done more often. People who consume food with staining agents or smoke are likely to whiten their teeth more often than others. For in-chair bleaching, a regular yearly treatment with touch-ups at home in between should be sufficient to maintain a white and bright smile.
Since more and more people are choosing teeth whitening treatments to achieve a beautiful smile, it is must to understand what one can do to maintain the results for as long as possible.
Here are some tips that can reduce the number of touch-ups you may require by extending your teeth whitening results.
- Avoid or cut down on food or drinks that stain teeth
As mentioned before, beverages like coffee, wine, and tea can stain your teeth easily. Also, high-acidic foods like red sauces and vinegar can cause tooth staining and weakening. To extend the results of your teeth whitening treatment, reducing the intake of this food and drinks is best. If you want to enjoy your drink without affecting the whiteness of your teeth, you may have it with a straw. When it comes to food, you must try to rinse and brush your teeth immediately after eating to minimise the staining effect.
- Quit smoking
Tobacco can stain your teeth excessively. Smoking leads to a build-up and causes stubborn yellow to orange staining. If you underwent a teeth whitening treatment that you want to maintain for a long time, try to quit or at least cut down on smoking. Doing this will surely make your teeth’s whiteness last long.
- Maintain good oral hygiene
Brushing twice and flossing once a day is compulsory. Confirm with your dentist if rinsing your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash will help. You may also get recommendations on the best whitening toothpaste that you may use 1 to 2 times a week.
- Drink plenty of water
Drink plenty of water every day as this can prevent stains from building up on your teeth. Apart from maintaining the brightness of your teeth, water will help you stay hydrated and benefit your overall health. Water can wash away the bacteria and food particles from your teeth and reduce the chances of staining.
Book A Teeth Whitening Session Now
Want to achieve your dream smile? Want to get sparkling white teeth? Contact us and share your teeth whitening needs with us. We will examine your mouth and tell you which whitening treatment is the best for you. We will also share tips on maintaining your pearly white. Call us on (03) 9133 8657 or drop an email at [email protected]. To schedule your appointment today.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How often do you need to touch up teeth whitening?
Your teeth whitening treatment may last long only if you care for it. One of the best ways to maintain the brightness of your teeth is by offering them regular touch-ups. In most cases, touch-ups are recommended to be done once every 6 months to maintain the whitening results. However, if you are someone who smokes or drinks, you may require a touch-up sooner than 6 months. This is mainly because alcohol and tobacco can cause your teeth to stain faster. If your lifestyle, Speak to your dentist to find out how often you will require a touch-up.
When you whiten your teeth, How long does it last?
The results achieved from in-chair teeth whitening treatments may last for as long as 2 to 3 years or as little as 6 months. This depends from individual to individual as every person’s lifestyle is different. For example, someone who consumes too much tea or coffee may begin to notice stains soon, just like someone who smokes regularly. On the other hand, a person who drinks caffeine in moderation and doesn’t smoke may expect the results to last longer. If you wish to maintain your teeth whitening results for a long time, it is best to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
What causes tooth discolouration?
There are various causes of tooth discolouration, including drinking coffee, tea, wine, cola, etc. Also, some fruits and vegetables like apples and potatoes can cause staining to the teeth. Apart from these, some significant reasons for stained teeth are tobacco use, poor dental hygiene, mouth disease, medications, dental materials, trauma, aging, and genetics. If you want to regain the sparkling white colour of your teeth, it is best to go for teeth whitening treatments that can remove stains and brighten your smile.
