Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI
So you’ve researched, budgeted and decided you’re ready to invest in yourself and your smile with professional teeth whitening. Nothing rejuvenates a bright, white, youthful smile more than this quick, affordable cosmetic dental procedure. But once you’re back at home after the treatment, how do you protect your investment? What steps should you take to ensure your teeth whitening treatment lasts as long as possible?
Our cosmetic dentist in Royal Oak is answering that very question today.
What causes staining?
The first step in protecting your investment is to know what stains tooth surfaces. Here are a few of the most common culprits:
- Foods such as dark berries, tomato-based sauces and chocolate or foods with heavy dyes, such as certain candies
- Beverages like coffee, red wine and dark sodas/juices
- Tobacco use
- Certain medications
What treatments are available?
You can have a bright, white, dazzling smile in as little as one visit to our cosmetic dentist’s office in the Birmingham area. Or choose our take-home kit to whiten your teeth from the comfort of your own home!
How can I make my whitening last longer?
No matter which treatment method you choose, our cosmetic dentist in Birmingham has recommendations to help you protect the investment you’ve made in your smile. Here are a few of the simplest and most effective ways:
- Modify your diet — Limit or avoid the foods and beverages that cause tooth surface stains.
- Rinse — When you do enjoy foods and beverages that are known to cause tooth staining, swish with water two or three times afterward to rinse away the sugar, acids and staining liquids. Don’t brush immediately after enjoying these foods and beverages because that can actually scrub the stains further into the surface of the teeth.
- Stop smoking — Besides the well-known physical health risks that tobacco use poses, it’s terrible for the teeth and mouth, staining the teeth and causing oral cancer.
- Use a straw — Using a straw helps direct any potentially staining liquids past the teeth, limiting exposure.
- Visit the dentist regularly — Regular exams and professional cleanings will help keep your teeth bright and white, prolonging your professional whitening treatment as much as possible.
Teeth whitening in Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan
Our smile says a lot about us, and it’s also the first thing people notice about us when first meeting us. Our smile gives us confidence, which makes rippling positive effects in our lives, both personal and professional. If you’re ready to boast a Hollywood celebrity smile, call our Royal Oak cosmetic dentist at Hartrick Dentistry at (248) 712-1149, or contact us online to schedule a consultation today.