Whitening longevity

When I need to knock off a few pounds, I eat a healthy diet and go to the gym. But it takes more than just a salad for dinner and one spin class to knock off 10 lbs. It takes consistency. Whitening your teeth may be way easier than trying to fit into a smaller size of Levi’s but maintaining your pearly whites still deserves the same amount of awareness. Whitening longevity is a process that needs care and time.

Everlasting whiteness

After consistently eating right and hitting the gym, the result is a leaner me. The last thing I’m going to do is celebrate my success with a super-sized Big Mac and fries at McDonalds. Teeth whitening, like weight loss, is not permanent. It takes effort to keep off the pounds and it takes a conscious effort to get long lasting results from your whitening procedure. Whitening longevity can last from a few months to up to three years or more but this varies from person to person.

How to keep 'em white

Refraining from smoking and limiting the amount of red wine, tea or coffee that causes staining will help give your whitening procedure a fighting chance. You should also maintain a regular oral hygiene routine at home as well as with your dentist. Using a whitening toothpaste is also a great way to boost the clarity of your white teeth.

Mirror, mirror on the wall...

Who’s the whitest of them all? According to prevention.com, a good rule of thumb regarding the whiteness of your teeth is that the color of your teeth should match the whites of your eyes.

If you opt for an at-home whitening treatment, don’t overdo it. Refrain from trying to get your ivory teeth stark white. Taking whitening to the extreme can have your teeth looking chalky meaning that they lose their healthy sheen or you may develop white splotches. Just like a guy at the gym with overly beefed-up bi-ceps, sometimes too much of a good thing ain’t so good!

Touch up for whitening longevity

I’m not perfect. On a lonesome Saturday night, I might polish off a pint of Ben & Jerry's and that 10 lb. weight loss may diminish to an 8 lbs. That’s when I need a touch-up. If you spent two weeks on a red wine tasting tour, chances are your teeth may need a whitening touch-up. Over-the-counter strips are a great alternative to visiting the dentist but nothing beats having a professional to maintain your teeth. You and your smile are worth it so use at home whitening products as directed and see your dentist regularly.

Brush, Floss, Regular Check Ups