Scheduled For Teeth Whitening? How To Extend The Brightness Between Treatments

If you're scheduled for a teeth whitening treatment, you want the treatment to last for as long as possible. But, some of your daily habits could actually cause stains to develop right away. That means you'll need to schedule whitening treatments more often. Luckily, there are steps you can take to extend the effects of your whitening treatments. Not sure how to keep your teeth their brightest between treatments? Read the list provided below. You'll find four tricks that will help you extend the time between whitening treatments. 

Practice Good Oral Hygiene

When it comes to maintaining the brightness of your smile, you want to practice good oral hygiene. Whitening treatments won't last as long without good oral hygiene. You know that you need to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. But, now that you're getting your teeth whitened, you should buy yourself a new toothbrush. It's also important that you rinse with a whitening mouthwash at least twice a day. 

Use Straws for Your Drinks

If you're going to get your teeth whitened, get in the habit of using straws for your drinks. This is especially important where soda and juice are concerned. You might not realise this, but the colouring in these beverages can stain your teeth. This is especially true right after a whitening treatment. That's because the enamel on your teeth might still be soft right after whitening treatments. Straws help keep beverages off your teeth, which reduces the risk of stains. 

Watch for the Dark Colours

If you want to extend the effects of your teeth whitening treatments, watch the colours you eat and drink. There are some colours that can wreak havoc on your teeth. Some of those colours include purple, red and brown. Grape juice and fruit punch are especially bad for your teeth. But, soy sauce, beets and barbecue sauce can also stain your teeth. If you're going to consume those foods and drinks, be sure to brush your teeth right away. Again, it's a good idea to use a straw when drinking coloured juice. 

Cut Back on Acidic Food

If you're worried about staining your teeth right after a whitening treatment, be sure to avoid acidic foods. Acidic foods don't necessarily stain your teeth, but they do weaken the enamel on your teeth. Unfortunately, weak enamel can increase the risk of stains. That's why you should avoid citrus fruit right after you have your teeth whitened.