How do I care for my teeth after whitening?

October 20, 2022

You want to preserve the color of your teeth after a successful teeth whitening procedure. Although your teeth may appear hard and smooth on the surface, they are covered with tiny pores. This allows colored additives from food and drink to penetrate your teeth and stain them from the inside. When you whiten professionally, it can make your teeth even more porous to begin with. That’s why it’s important to avoid foods and activities that can stain your teeth for the first 48 hours.

What can you do to keep your teeth white?

The first 48 hours after your treatment is the most critical period. Following these steps after a professional teeth whitening process will allow you to continue smiling without limits.

1- Avoid beverages that leave dark stains, such as coffee, red wine, fruit juice, dark carbonated drinks, beer, and black tea.

2- Avoid dark sauces that will significantly affect the whiteness of your teeth. Examples of these sauces are soy sauce, red pasta sauce, BBQ sauce.

3- Everything you eat after teeth whitening should be light-colored. Some foods that fall under this definition and may be good post-treatment options include: Cauliflower, Milk, Pasta, Rice, White cream sauces, Eggs, whitefish, feta cheese, skinless chicken breast, bean curd, peeled potatoes, white yogurt, clear coconut water.

4- Avoid sour or acidic foods. Acidic foods include orange, lemon, or other citrus flavors. The sour taste can weaken your enamel.

5- If you need to drink juices and other teeth-staining beverages, consider using a straw. Thus, the liquid will not come into contact with your teeth.

6- Avoid Hot and Cold Foods. After the whitening process, your teeth will become sensitive. You should generally avoid very hot or very cold food. Toothpastes designed especially for sensitive teeth will help reduce possible discomfort.

7- Brush Your Teeth Regularly. After teeth whitening, be sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly to keep your teeth looking their best. After all, you’ve taken the time and effort to whiten them, so you should keep them that way. Start incorporating brushing your teeth after eating staining foods in your daily routine to ensure your teeth stay white for as long as possible.

8- Use Whitening Toothpaste One Week After the Procedure. After the procedure, your teeth will be slightly more sensitive as they will be more porous. Therefore, you should avoid using these products after bleaching. However, after the sensitivity subsides, you can maintain the whiteness by brushing your teeth with whitening toothpaste. When you incorporate this into your daily routine, you will notice that it stays whiter for longer than if you use regular toothpaste.

After the first 48 hours, try to avoid foods that stain teeth for as long as possible. This will greatly affect how long the results of your treatment will last. The faster you return to your teeth staining habits, the more you will notice that the whiteness of your teeth begins to fade. If you keep up your good habits, your teeth whitening process can take up to 6 months or up to 1 year.

Do Whitening Treatments Damage Your Teeth?

Professional teeth whitening does not damage tooth enamel, so you don’t have to worry about hurting your teeth with too many appointments. However, uncontrolled treatments at home can damage your teeth and after a while, different problems such as sensitivity may occur in your

Which teeth cannot be whitened?

As we age, enamel thins from wear and tear, exposing the layer beneath the tooth structure called dentin. Dentin is naturally yellowish and the process is ineffective because it cannot be lightened with teeth whitening products.

Can teeth be whitened if you have crowns or fillings?

If you have a crown or filling in a visible place, it will not whiten with the rest of your teeth. The reason for this is that the materials used are not porous like natural teeth and will not be able to absorb the whitening gel. Make sure you keep this in mind should be taken to avoid color differences after bleaching.

Dentists Recommend Teeth Whitening Products

Dr. Fatih 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!

Our dentists will also provide some home whitening trays. These are complementary and extend the effects of the first procedure, but if you have tooth sensitivity it may be helpful to take a break and start later. If you have a high consumption of colored drinks and food, consider using trays at home every six months. One tray should last for several days. Add the whitening gel to the tray and leave it in your mouth for 1-2 hours. However, do not do more than two touch-ups in a single period.

Call us today or contact us online to schedule a teeth cleaning or professional teeth whitening treatment with our cosmetic dentist!