415-513-5066

BRIGHT, HEALTHY, BEAUTIFUL SMILES

450 SUTTER STREET, #808 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108

With over half of Americans reportedly dissatisfied with their smiles, it’s no wonder that professional teeth whitening is so popular. However, keeping your pearly whites brilliant and healthy requires some aftercare and maintenance.

 

At California Dental Innovations, our San Francisco cosmetic dentist, Dr. Mina Levi, prioritizes your oral health while enhancing your smile. That’s why she offers a wide variety of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental treatments. Call 415-513-5066 or contact us online today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Mina.

 

If you’re wondering how to properly care for your professionally-whitened teeth, then stay tuned. Dr. Mina will give you five aftercare tips to help you get the most out of your professional teeth-whitening treatments.

Avoid Tobacco, Alcohol, and Certain Foods and Drinks

Similar to our skin, teeth have thousands of microscopic pores. These pores trap the pigments found in dark-colored foods and drinks, which causes teeth to look dull and discolored. 

 

Professional teeth whitening treatments cause the pores on teeth to dilate. This dilation allows whitening agents to gently and effectively lift extrinsic stains from teeth. However, the pores on teeth will remain dilated for up to 48 hours after whitening treatments.

 

Therefore, Dr. Mina recommends avoiding substances that can stain or damage teeth after professional whitening, such as:

Prevent Tooth Sensitivity

Many patients experience heightened tooth sensitivity following professional teeth whitening. In general, tooth sensitivity is normal and expected after a whitening procedure. However, Dr. Mina suggests that patients limit discomfort and sensitivity by:

Continue Good Oral Hygiene Practices

Good oral hygiene is always important, but it’s imperative to continue properly brushing and flossing after you receive teeth whitening treatments. So, our San Francisco cosmetic dentist suggests:

 

Regular oral hygiene doesn’t just keep your teeth and gums healthy–it helps extend the effect of professional teeth whitening treatments.

Use a Straw to Avoid Premature Staining

Dr. Mina encourages patients to sip drinks through a straw to avoid staining. A straw (preferably a reusable one!) will keep dark-pigmented beverages off of the front surface of your teeth. So, you’ll be able to enjoy your luminous smile for longer!

Get Touch-ups When Necessary

Maintaining your new, brighter shade after professional teeth whitening may require occasional touch-ups. Therefore, Dr. Mina suggests scheduling regular whitening treatments to maintain your picture-perfect smile.

Professional Teeth Whitening in San Francisco, CA

Following these steps after a professional teeth whitening will allow you to continue smiling without limitations. However, Dr. Mina also encourages patients to get a thorough dental exam and cleaning before their whitening treatment. Clean teeth absorb whitening agents better, so you can enjoy even more brilliant teeth-whitening results!

To schedule a dental cleaning or professional teeth whitening treatment with our San Francisco cosmetic dentist, call 415-513-5066 or contact us online today!