Jonggak Station Dental Clinic: I Want to Maintain Teeth Whitening Results for a Long Time

Hello. This is Jonggak Station Dental Clinic. Recently, as people with white teeth have been getting attention on various media platforms such as social media and YouTube, interest in teeth whitening has been growing. For those wondering whether to choose professional whitening at a dental clinic or at-home whitening, I will explain the pros and cons of each, along with ways to keep whitening results for a long time.

Understanding Teeth Whitening Procedures at Jonggak Station Dental Clinic

If you are concerned about yellowed or discolored teeth, you may want to consider teeth whitening. At the dental clinic, there are two methods: professional whitening, which uses high-concentration hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gel to brighten and whiten teeth quickly, and at-home whitening, which you can do yourself. Professional whitening is performed at the clinic and uses medication and special light to maximize whitening effects in a short time. Usually, 2 to 3 sessions of 30 minutes each are enough to achieve good results, but additional sessions may be needed for severe discoloration or if you want even whiter teeth.

At-home whitening involves making a custom tray that fits your teeth, placing whitening agent in the tray, and wearing it in the mouth. It is usually worn for about 4 to 5 hours during sleep and done daily or every other day. Compared with professional whitening, it takes longer, but the advantage is that it can be done at a relatively low cost.

To keep the brightened tooth color for a long time after whitening, there are a few precautions to follow. In particular, it is best to avoid strongly pigmented foods, coffee, black tea, cola, and smoking. If you do consume them, brush your teeth right away or rinse your mouth with water. Also, if you receive scaling and touch-up whitening (a light whitening procedure) once every 6 months to a year, you can maintain white teeth for a longer period. I’ll explain more in detail below~

What Is Professional Whitening?

Professional whitening is performed at a dental clinic and is a method that quickly brightens and whitens teeth using a high-concentration hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gel. A whitening agent containing 15% high-concentration hydrogen peroxide is applied to the tooth surface, and laser light is then directed onto it to promote the breakdown of the whitening agent. Through this process, pigments deposited in the microscopic pores on the tooth surface are oxidized, producing a whitening effect. Generally, 2 to 3 sessions of 30 minutes each are enough to achieve good results, but additional sessions may be needed if discoloration is severe or if you want even whiter teeth. However, if the gums are weak, the whitening agent may cause stinging or sensitivity when it contacts the gums, so a gum protection agent should be applied carefully before the procedure.

In addition, after the procedure, teeth may temporarily become sensitive or the gums may swell, but these symptoms usually disappear within 1 to 2 days. If symptoms persist, it is best to consult the medical staff.

Introduction to At-Home Whitening

At-home whitening is a method of whitening directly at home using a whitening tray custom-made for each person at the dental clinic. It is usually done before bedtime: you fill the tray with whitening gel, place it in your mouth, and go to sleep. Wear it for at least 4 hours a day, and it usually takes about 2 weeks.

Professional whitening, in which a dentist applies a high-concentration whitening agent to the teeth and uses special light to brighten them quickly, is highly effective, but it is not permanent. Periodic maintenance is needed to preserve the brightened tooth color, and combining it with at-home whitening can be helpful.

The Importance of Care After Whitening

Immediately after teeth whitening, teeth may temporarily become sensitive. At this time, it is best to avoid irritating foods and drinks (cold foods, sour fruits, coffee, wine, etc.), and you should also refrain from smoking. These foods and cigarette smoke are among the causes of tooth discoloration. If sensitivity continues after whitening, or if the gums swell and hurt, you should consult the medical staff and take appropriate measures. Also, if you undergo touch-up whitening (a simple whitening treatment) once every 6 months to a year, you can maintain white teeth. Above all, it is important to carefully manage oral hygiene after whitening. You should also pay attention to your choice of toothbrush and toothpaste, and thoroughly remove food debris and plaque left between your teeth.

Lifestyle Habits to Maintain the Results for a Long Time

After eating strongly pigmented foods, it is best to brush your teeth right away or rinse your mouth with water to prevent staining. If you cannot brush right away, simply rinsing your mouth with water can also help prevent tooth discoloration. In addition, tartar and plaque on the tooth surface can discolor teeth, so getting regular dental scaling also helps maintain the whitening effect for a long time. If you combine professional whitening performed at the dental clinic with at-home whitening, you can achieve more satisfying results.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid After Teeth Whitening

Within 2 hours after teeth whitening, it is best to avoid colored foods and drinks such as coffee, black tea, cola, wine, and chocolate. This is because these foods and drinks are among the main causes of tooth staining. Smoking also causes tooth discoloration and negatively affects oral health, so quitting smoking is recommended. Temporary sensitivity may also occur, and at that time you should avoid eating very cold or very hot foods.

After teeth whitening, you need to follow the precautions above closely to maintain the whitening results for a long time. It is also important to avoid foods and smoking that cause tooth discoloration, and to receive regular dental checkups and scaling. If sensitivity persists after whitening or if you have severe pain, it is best to visit the dental clinic immediately for appropriate care. Through this, I hope you can keep your teeth white for a long time and regain a confident smile.