How to Maintain Your Teeth Whitening Results

Millions of Americans undergo professional teeth whitening each year to address stains and tooth discoloration. 

While it’s true that teeth whitening can make your smile brighter, the results aren’t permanent, which is why it’s important to take steps to maintain them. 

At U&I Smile in Beaverton, Oregon, experienced dentist Lilian Liu, DMD, offers in-office teeth whitening and take-home teeth whitening trays. 

Read on for five simple tips to help keep your teeth white and stain-free. 

1. Understand the factors that can affect your results

Professional teeth whitening offers a quick and convenient way to reduce tooth discoloration, but it won’t necessarily prevent your teeth from changing color again. 

Certain foods and drinks, such as tomato-based sauces, coffee, and soda, are known to cause stains, and tobacco has similar effects. 

We recommend quitting tobacco to protect your smile and overall health. To help reduce staining, drink dark beverages such as soda and coffee with a straw. And, whenever you eat stain-causing foods, such as sauces or berries, drink plenty of water to help rinse your teeth. 

2. Prioritize consistent oral hygiene

The buildup that causes tooth discoloration rarely happens overnight. Instead, it accumulates over weeks or months. You can’t prevent this buildup entirely, but consistent oral hygiene can help limit its effects on your smile. 

Brush your teeth twice daily, with whitening toothpaste. Also, floss at least once a day and rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce plaque buildup. These steps won’t necessarily return your smile to its post-whitening shine, but they can help your results last longer.

3. Make preventive dental care a priority

If you're happy with your smile, it can be tempting to skip annual checkups and professional teeth cleanings. However, doing so can increase the risk of enamel damage and make it easier for deeper stains to set in.

We recommend scheduling a dental exam and teeth cleaning every six months. Getting into this habit can help maintain your results. It also presents an opportunity to catch underlying issues, such as cavities and gum disease, that can affect the appearance of your smile.

4. Take good care of your tooth enamel

Healthy tooth enamel is smooth and translucent, which helps reflect the brightness achieved through teeth whitening. However, when enamel wears down, more of the dentin underneath becomes visible. Dentin is naturally yellow and can make stains appear more pronounced.

Although enamel naturally wears down over time, you can take steps to slow the process. We recommend eating crunchy fruits and vegetables to help clean your tooth surfaces and drinking water throughout the day to reduce plaque and bacteria buildup. 

5. Invest in maintenance treatments

The results of teeth whitening can last 3-4 months, but regular maintenance with professional touch-ups can extend them even longer.

After reviewing your dental history and discussing your goals, we can customize a schedule that aligns with your needs and budget. The goal is to maintain your bright smile without irritating your tooth enamel or increasing tooth sensitivity.

Request a teeth whitening consultation today

Professional teeth whitening is an effective way to reduce the appearance of stains and keep your smile bright. To see if you’re a candidate and learn more about your treatment options, contact our office by phone or online today to schedule an appointment.