Dr. Chang of Dental Restorative Group understands that many of his Cambridge patients desire a whiter, brighter smile. Whether you just seem prone to develop tooth stains (which can happen, thanks to genetics), you’re a former smoker, or you love foods and drinks that are known to stain like coffee, red wine, or pastas with red sauce, unwanted yellowing of your teeth can be professionally treated. Here in our offices, our team exclusively uses the Philips Zoom teeth whitening system, with both in-office and at-home treatment solutions.
Probably the most common question that Cambridge teeth whitening patients ask is, “How long will my teeth stay white?” Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. While the strength of the Philips Zoom system may enable you to have teeth up to 8 shades whiter for as long as 12-24 months, there are several factors that may lead you to need maintenance treatments sooner rather than later. These include:
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Genetics
It’s not fair, but some Cambridge residents are just genetically predisposed to having stains appear on their teeth. If you don’t eat or drink staining foods or beverages and don’t smoke, but still find that your teeth yellow easily, you can anticipate that your results may be shorter-lived than those of other patients.
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Drinking Staining Beverages
So many great tasting beverages leave stains on our teeth. These include coffee, tea, sodas, and red wine. If your favorite drink stains your teeth, but you just can’t live without it, you’ll likely need teeth whitening treatments more frequently.
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Eating Staining Foods Like Pasta with Red Sauce
We know this is a hard one because pasta is so good! But that tasty marinara can re-stain your teeth, even after a professional whitening session with the Philips Zoom system. When indulging in these types of foods, make sure to brush your teeth as soon as you’re done eating, so you reduce the chance of staining your whitened teeth.
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Smoking
You already know that smoking is a bad habit. We’re not going to lecture you on that. But when it comes to tooth aesthetics, we will tell you that if you’re going to invest in teeth whitening, you should be certain you’ve kicked the habit for good before you sign up for a session. The nicotine and tar from cigarettes stain teeth so easily, and Cambridge’s Dr. Chang wants you to get the best results for your investment.
Tips for Maintaining a Bright Smile in Between Treatments
While whitening sessions aren’t permanent, you can extend the longevity of their results by following a few simple practices. These include:
- Practicing proper oral hygiene, which means brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and using an antibacterial mouthwash once a day
- Asking Dr. Chang for the Philips Zoom DayWhite Touch-up take-home whitening treatment so you can periodically treat your teeth at home
- Using the Philips Zoom Whitening Pen on any stains that you see pop up in between whitening sessions
- Switching to the Philips Zoom Sonicare DiamondClean electric toothbrush
Learn More About Teeth Whitening
Before you can begin whitening your teeth, either during a session in our office or at home, you need to be evaluated by Dr. Chang to make sure you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening.
To schedule an appointment, call our Cambridge area office today at (617) 489-1470.
