A pearly white smile makes a good first impression, but yellow or dull teeth can greatly affect your self-image. They make your face appear older and might make you feel too embarrassed to smile or socialize.
You might be wondering how to keep teeth white when they start to look a little dull. Luckily, we’ve got tons of ways to whiten discolored teeth. Below, we’ll discuss different teeth whitening treatments and how to keep your teeth white after treatment.
What this article covers:
- Why Is It Necessary to Maintain Tooth Whitening?
- Professional Teeth Whitening vs. At-Home Teeth Whitening
- How to Maintain White Teeth After Treatment
Why Is it Necessary to Maintain Tooth Whitening?
It might be necessary to maintain tooth whitening for several reasons. But first, you need to figure out just how white your teeth really are.
If you’re wondering how to tell if your teeth are white, eye-balling them is one sure-fire way. In other words, compare the whiteness of your teeth with the whiteness of your eyes. And if you don’t like what you see, consider making teeth whitening part of your lifestyle.
What is teeth whitening? Teeth whitening is a procedure that brightens your teeth for aesthetic purposes for anywhere from a few months up to three years.
How often should you whiten your teeth? You shouldn’t whiten your teeth too often. Dentist-approved whitening methods are generally safe, but using them too much can damage your enamel and cause gum irritation and sensitivity. Set up a regular routine for maintaining your pearly whites after whitening, then make lifestyle changes to keep them white for longer.
Professional Teeth Whitening vs. At-Home Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is a procedure that oral hygienists or dentists perform in-office. It uses two primary whitening agents - hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, to weaken intrinsic and extrinsic stains. The two most common methods of professional teeth whitening are laser teeth whitening and custom-fitted bleaching trays.
Then there’s at-home teeth whitening, which involves DIY over the counter whitening products like gels, toothpaste, and strips. They contain lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide compared to professional teeth whitening, but they’re very effective for whitening in between teeth.
What’s the best way to whiten teeth? At-home teeth whitening is the best way to whiten teeth by a landslide, and that’s because it’s:
- Affordable: In-office teeth whitening costs about $800-$1000, while custom trays cost about $300-$600. Conversely, at-home teeth whitening kits cost about $25-$200.
- Safe: At-home teeth whitening kits are generally safe and highly effective. They can lift intrinsic and extrinsic stains from your teeth, making them visibly whiter after several weeks.
- Convenient: You can do DIY whitening at home without visiting a dentist or oral hygienist.
If you're considering whitening at home, here are some magic products to keep your teeth white and healthy.
Teeth Whitening Strips
These whitening strips were voted the Best Whitening Strips of 2023 by NewBeauty Magazine and the Best Dissolving Teeth Whitening Strip of 2022 by Real Simple. They're the only product with patented P3 technology, which whitens more effectively than other dissolvable whitening strips on the market.
One box of these strips can lighten your teeth up to seven shades, with noticeable results after just three uses. Also, they're safe for your enamel and gentle on sensitivity.
Teeth Whitening Foam
This award-winning whitening teeth foam is paraben-free and loved by vegans. It whitens teeth and also helps clean aligners, night guards, and retainers. One bottle can serve you up to 150 times, so you save money you’d normally spend on buying new products.
Teeth Whitening Kit
For those with sensitive teeth, this teeth whitening kit is extra gentle. It's enamel-safe, vegan-friendly, and fast-acting. 100% of users see results after 21 days. You can use it for up to 75 treatments, which saves you money.
How to Maintain White Teeth After Treatment
After completing any of these whitening treatments, we recommend following these tips to maintain a healthy smile.
Avoid Acidic Foods
One of the biggest no-nos for maintaining your pearly white smile is acidic food. They damage and discolor your tooth enamel, and they also put your oral health at risk. Avoid foods like citrus fruits, pickles, and vinegar to prevent any further staining.
Avoid Sour Fruit Juice
Do you love sour fruit juices? Bummer! They’re highly acidic, not to mention that they weaken the enamel and cause staining. Avoid sour juices like tomato, cranberry, and grapefruit juices to keep your chompers in peak condition.
Use Straws
Whenever you drink coffee, tea, or any other type of staining liquid - suck, don’t sip. Using straws prevents the beverage from making direct contact with your teeth and causing discoloration. We recommend using eco-friendly drinking straws (preferably paper ones) that help the environment.
Don’t Forget to Floss
Our research indicates that flossing regularly is an excellent way to keep your teeth white. Flossing removes particles and debris stuck between your teeth, which can cause discoloration.
Brush Your Teeth With Whitening Toothpaste
Good oral hygiene helps prevent staining and keeps your teeth white. Brush your teeth twice a day, but not with just any old toothpaste. Opt for a whitening toothpaste that contains amino acids, vitamins, herbs, and hydroxyapatite to effectively remove staining. Pair it with a refreshing aloe and mint whitening mouthwash to keep your breath feeling clean and fresh all day long.
This teeth powder magically converts regular toothpaste into whitening toothpaste. It’s enamel-safe, has a delicious lavender and mint flavor, and you can use it up to four times a week.
Conclusion
Maintaining white teeth requires a perfect combo of healthy habits and products, so you should invest in proper oral hygiene to prevent tooth discoloration.
Brushing your teeth twice daily with whitening toothpaste, flossing regularly, and drinking dark beverages with a straw are all good habits to adopt for a whiter smile.
Looking for fast-acting and long-lasting whitening results? SNOW's teeth whitening products are the perfect solution for those looking to keep their pearly whites in tip-top shape for many moons.
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