When Cambridge dental patients choose teeth whitening, they want to make sure their results last as long as possible. While the Philips Zoom system used at the Dental Restorative Group’s offices can provide results that last as long as 12 to 24 months, certain behaviors, diet choices, or just plain old genetics may make your teeth start to stain sooner rather than later.
But just because teeth whitening isn’t permanent doesn’t mean Cambridge dental patients should avoid the solution altogether. You can have a brighter, whiter smile that lasts longer in between whitening sessions by following these 3 tips:*
1. Avoid or Limit Certain Foods and Beverages Known to Stain Teeth
Cambridge residents who are considering teeth whitening should know that sometimes, their favorite foods and drinks may negate their results, or cause stains to come back sooner rather than later. These include foods like marinara sauce on pasta, or beverages like coffee, tea, sodas, and red wine.
You can still enjoy your favorite foods and drinks while also preventing them from re-staining your teeth. Tips include brushing your teeth as soon as you’re done consuming the food or beverage, limiting the amount of stain-inducing food or beverage you consume, or in the case of drinks, using a straw to consume them.
2. Stay Away from Cigarettes
Ideally, Cambridge teeth whitening patients will have already quit smoking before they choose to have their teeth treated either in our office or with one of our professional at-home whitening kits. The reason is that the nicotine and tar in cigarettes is simply a well-known cause of teeth staining.
Dr. Chang understands, though, that for many former smokers, sometimes the temptation to restart the habit is strong. For your overall health and your best teeth whitening results, Dr. Chang recommends you enroll in a smoking cessation program, which may even include medication or supplements to help you quit for good.
3. Use Philips Zoom Maintenance Products to Keep Those Pearly Whites Shining for a Longer Amount of Time
Our Cambridge dentists at Dental Restorative Group only use in-office or professional at-home whitening solutions from Philips Zoom, which we believe is the best of the best on the market. But even the manufacturer of our solution knows that teeth can begin to stain in between periodic maintenance sessions. To help fight these unwanted stains off, they recommend you use the following products:
- The Philips Zoom DayWhite Touch-up take-home whitening treatment
- The Philips Zoom Whitening Pen
- The Philips Zoom Sonicare DiamondClean electric toothbrush
Ask All Your Questions During Your Whitening Consultation
Before you begin your in-office or at-home whitening treatment, Dr. Chang requires his patients to come in for a consultation first so one of our dentists can confirm you’re a good candidate for the procedure. This appointment is a great opportunity for you to ask all your questions about whitening your teeth. Whether you’re concerned you can’t say “No!” to your daily cup of Joe, or that you’ll fall off the wagon and start smoking again, Dr. Chang wants to know so he can help. Remember, he wants you to be happy with your results for the long run. The only way he can help you achieve this goal is by you having an open and honest conversation with him about your habits and diet, which may include some foods or beverages known to cause tooth stains.
To schedule an appointment to discuss whitening your teeth, call our offices today at (617) 489-1470.
*Individual results may vary.
