For patients with stained, yellowed, or discolored teeth, professional teeth whitening is an ideal cosmetic treatment. An in-office whitening procedure will involve your dentist applying whitening gel to your teeth and activating the bleaching agents with concentrated light. Your enhanced smile can bring you a boost in self-esteem that can improve your quality of life. Once you have completed this treatment, you will want to preserve your pearly white teeth for as long as possible. Dr. Ali Sarkarzadeh, a dentist in Rockville, MD, offers tips to keep your teeth bright after cosmetic treatment.
Avoid staining agents
Tooth discoloration can occur due to elements out of a patient’s control, such as aging or a medication side effect. However, staining can also come from agents in substances you eat or drink. Dark-colored beverages, such as red wine, coffee, and tea, are common culprits of staining tooth enamel, even after a professional whitening treatment. To maintain your ideal tooth color, these substances should be enjoyed in moderation or avoided. Tobacco is another staining agent that can cause tooth discoloration after whitening. Eliminating tobacco use also has additional health benefits besides maintaining the enhanced appearance of whitened teeth.
Keep teeth clean
Proper oral hygiene habits can reduce tooth discoloration by removing plaque that can trap bacteria and cause decay. If your teeth are clean and healthy, then they are more resistant to staining. Good oral hygiene includes brushing teeth twice a day and flossing daily. Flossing is ideally done at night to remove plaque that develops during the day. Like flossing, rinsing with mouthwash can get rid of plaque in places difficult to reach with traditional brushing. This will also keep your gums healthy, reducing the risk of gums receding and exposing more of your teeth to staining agents.
Visit dentist regularly
Proper oral hygiene also includes regular dental visits. During a routine cleaning, your dentist removes plaque and tartar from your teeth that are not reached by brushing. Your dentist can also examine your mouth for cavities or signs of damage to your teeth that could put the enhanced appearance of your smile at risk. Fluoride treatment can also strengthen your tooth enamel to protect the whiteness of your smile. You can also discuss whitening touch-up treatment with your dentist during these appointments. Dentists recommend scheduling routine dental check-ups every six months.
Schedule a cosmetic dentist appointment in Rockville, MD
Congressional Dental Care offers professional teeth whitening and other cosmetic treatments to patients in Rockville, MD. Dr. Sarkarzadeh also specializes in general and restorative dentistry. To schedule an appointment or consultation with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 301.276.4694.