Tips for Maximizing Your Professional Teeth Whitening

Whether this is the first time you’ve had your teeth professionally whitened or you’re a repeat whitener, you want your new dazzling smile to last as long as possible.

Dr. Dana Samet and our Dental Art of South Bay team in Torrance, California, offer the most advanced professional teeth whitening systems available. The best part is that you can choose to whiten your teeth in our office in a single session or take home a professional kit that whitens your teeth gradually over a few weeks.

Either way, the results are far superior to over-the-counter products. We use Philips Zoom!, which has been proven safe and effective under the supervision of experienced professionals like Dr. Samet. If you follow our best teeth whitening advice, you can get better results and maintain them longer.

Before your teeth whitening appointment

The best results begin before your teeth whitening appointment. Here’s how to prep:

1. Schedule a professional dental cleaning

Before your whitening session, schedule a professional teeth cleaning appointment at Dental Art of South Bay to eliminate all traces of plaque and tartar and allow the whitening agent to work better.

2. Avoid stain-causing foods and drinks

In the days before your appointment, avoid foods and beverages that cause staining, like coffee, tea, red wine, and dark berries.

After your whitening appointment

Your whitening treatment isn’t over when you hop out of our chair. There’s much you can — and should — do afterward to keep your smile bright.

1. Use a desensitizing toothpaste

It’s normal to experience some sensitivity after whitening. Using a desensitizing toothpaste can help alleviate discomfort.

2. Stick to a “white diet”

For the first 48 hours after treatment, try to eat only white and light-colored foods, like chicken, rice, and white fish, to prevent staining while your teeth are most susceptible.

3. Avoid tobacco products

Smoking or chewing tobacco can quickly undo your whitening results. Avoid these products for a longer-lasting bright smile.

Long-term maintenance

No teeth whitening treatment lasts forever, but you can extend your results for as long as possible by:

1. Practicing good oral hygiene

Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. Regular oral hygiene prevents new stains from forming and keeps your teeth healthy.

2. Use a whitening toothpaste

Incorporate a whitening toothpaste into your routine, but don’t overuse abrasive products.

3. Limit stain-causing foods and drinks

This tip applies to the before and after phases of your teeth cleaning. Coffee, tea, red wine, and dark berries can stain and restrain your teeth. When you indulge, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth.