Teeth Whitening: What to Avoid

Regardless of how good your oral hygiene is, you probably will need a teeth whitening treatment at some point in your life. These treatments can have a significant effect on the color of a person's teeth, eliminating most yellow and brown stains.

Having pearly white teeth can make you appear younger and give you the confidence to smile freely during social interactions, which can make you come across as happier and more energetic. The way your teeth look is one of the most memorable things about your appearance. Yellow, stained teeth often lead to people making negative assumptions about why your teeth look the way they do.

What to avoid when getting teeth whitening treatments

Whiteners are an effective way to improve the appearance of a patient's teeth, but it is vital that they do the right things to get the best results. Here are a few simple things that patients can do to get the most out of their teeth whitening treatments:

1. Avoid low-quality whitening products

The first mistake that many individuals make when it comes to whitening their teeth is purchasing low-quality over-the-counter products. Some of these products contain harsh ingredients that can weaken enamel and lead to tooth sensitivity. Besides, these products are not as powerful as the bleaching agents used by dentists.

To get the most out of their whitening treatment, patients should opt for professional teeth whitening performed by a dentist. The color of their teeth can be restored faster, and there is less risk of complications, like temporary teeth sensitivity developing.

2. Follow the recommended directions

Patients are advised to use whiteners as recommended by the manufacturer or a dentist. Leaving bleaching agents on teeth for longer than recommended often leads to teeth sensitivity.

3. Get a customized mouth guard

Mouthguards are commonly used to apply teeth whiteners. Those who get their whitening treatment from a dentist get customized mouth guards, which ensure that the solution does not seep into the soft tissues in the mouth. It also ensures that the whitening agent is evenly distributed between teeth.

4. Avoid foods that stain teeth, like coffee

Many people drink coffee to make them more alert in the morning, but it tends to stain teeth. Coffee is also acidic, so it weakens teeth enamel. Most people who consume it regularly can develop nasty stains on their teeth that can ruin the appearance of their smile.

Fortunately, the stains caused by drinking coffee are typically responsive to whitening treatments, so a trip to the dentist is often all it takes to get rid of them. People who absolutely must have their morning coffee are advised to add milk. This reduces the staining effect it has on teeth.

Other foods and beverages that are known to stain teeth include:

• Red wine
• Pasta sauce
• Dark teas
• Blueberries
• Soda

Improve the color of your teeth

Whitening treatments are non-invasive and typically produce quick results when done by a dentist. Stop by our Fort Lauderdale clinic and start moving toward having whiter teeth.

Request an appointment here: https://www.smilesbyjulia.com or call Smiles By Julia at (954) 493-6556 for an appointment in our Fort Lauderdale office.

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