How to Get the Best Teeth Whitening Results

If you invest in a professional teeth whitening treatment, you want the results to last. In addition to seeking out regular whitening maintenance, we have compiled a list of actions you can take to make your teeth look whiter longer.

Teeth whitening technology has come a long way since it was acknowledged as a safe practice by the ADA (American Dental Association) in the 1980s. Today's whitening strategies are even safer, more efficient, and more effective than they once were. It is not absurd to expect to gain a noticeably whiter smile by visiting our office for a one-hour teeth whitening treatment. The simplicity of having your teeth whitened is great, but to really make your results stand out, you should prepare for your whitening before your treatment and practice these small tips after whitening.

Be Realistic About Your Expectations

We will definitely be able to improve the shade of your teeth to a whiter hue, but it is important to be realistic about your expectations. Unfortunately, some patients have deeper stains that are referred to as intrinsic stains. With time, we can improve the appearance of these grayed, discolored areas, but it will take a little longer than it would to remove purely surface stains.

You should also only seek out teeth whitening if your teeth and gums are in good health. If you have decayed teeth that have not been treated, you will most likely experience sensitivities following teeth whitening treatment. Whitening agents can harm roots that are exposed due to receding gums or gum disease. Have these problems repaired before you receive teeth whitening treatment; it is more important to have healthy teeth and gums than to have whitened teeth.

Get a Thorough Dental Cleaning Beforehand

We offer thorough dental cleanings at our office for teeth whitening patients. A deep clean that removes excess plaque and surface stains will create a more direct route for our teeth whitening solution, so you get better results faster. If you have plaque on your teeth and you try to have your teeth whitened, the bleaching solution will have to work harder to get through extra barriers to the deeper stains.

Keep Up With Regular Dentist Visits

Once you have your teeth whitened, you should continue to visit the dentist regularly to maintain the whitest results. Regular cleaning and plaque removal help maintain a whitened look. Cleaning and examinations will also keep your teeth in the best health and deter surface staining from becoming more permanent.

Floss Every Day

You have probably heard you should floss to avoid cavities, but flossing can also help you avoid unsightly yellow crevices between teeth. Even these small areas of your teeth can be stained and appear darker than surrounding teeth, and flossing will remove the plaque and food particles that could cause staining.

Rinse Your Mouth Out

You know how important it is to avoid darkly colored foods and drinks in order to have whiter teeth, but some of these items are actually very healthy for you – like berries, for example. If you want to eat dark-colored foods, but you want to keep your teeth white, just rinse out your mouth after consumption. This applies for coffee and wine, too. The sooner your teeth are cleaned, the less time these substances have to stain them. If you have time, also brush.

For more information on how to get the best teeth whitening results possible and how to maintain whitened teeth, visit our office. Our Chicago dental office can provide you with necessary tips and a great teeth whitening service.