Many people who desire a safe way to have instant white teeth turn to professional teeth whitening treatment. As we all know, professional teeth whitening can help you achieve brighter teeth and boost your self-confidence to smile and socialize with your friends, family or even a stranger passing by.
There are tons of benefits of professional teeth whitening. While the actual treatment is crucial to determine the success of this procedure, how you take care of your teeth afterwards is also a factor in maintaining the whiteness of your teeth.
Teeth whitening aftercare requires effort, especially in the first 48 hours after you undergo this type of cosmetic dentistry treatment.
If you want to maintain your bright smile and have stain-free teeth for quite a long time, you have to stop some old habits, attend your dental appointments, and follow an aftercare routine when this procedure is over.
In this blog post, you will learn aftercare tips for taking care of your teeth after your whitening treatment so you can reap long-term benefits from your professional teeth whitening treatment. Let’s start!
1. Avoid drinking coloured and acidic beverages
In the first 48 hours after your teeth whitening procedure, your teeth are at risk of staining and decaying.
Drinking dark-coloured and acidic drinks can reverse the effects of the whitening procedure. It also causes severe staining and creates long-term damage to your teeth.
During this stage, avoid drinking coloured beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine to refrain from teeth staining. Acid-based drinks such as soda, citrus fruits, and pickles are also on the no-no list.
2. Eat light-coloured and non-acidic food and drinks
During the first 48 hours of your treatment, eating light-coloured and non-acidic food is a great food option.
Ideally, eat white or light-coloured food like tofu or unseasoned chicken and plain starches like pasta or rice. For breakfast, you can still eat bread, oatmeal, and potatoes.
You can also eat light-coloured fruits like bananas and apples and acid-neutralizing vegetables like carrots, celery, and green beans.
For non-acidic food and drinks, you can try milk and dairy products like Cottage cheese and yogurt. This type of food will also help strengthen your teeth and reduce decay.
3. Avoid chewy and sticky foods
Eating extremely chewy foods may cause damage to your newly whitened teeth.
Unchewable food may get stuck onto your teeth surface, causing it to stain or damage the whitened surface of your teeth. During the first few days, avoiding chewy foods can be beneficial.
4. Avoid hot and cold meals
Aside from chewy food, the food temperature can also affect your recently whitened teeth. Your teeth will be sensitive after the teeth whitening procedure.
Some patients may experience teeth sensitivity to food and drinks with cold or hot temperatures.
So you must prevent consuming too much hot and cold food, which can cause tooth sensitivity.
5. Invest in sensitive products
If you start to feel some tooth sensitivity, investing in toothpaste that helps with sensitivity can be a great option after the process.
Sensitive products will help reduce any teeth discomfort after your teeth whitening procedure.
6. Brush and floss your teeth gently and regularly
After the teeth whitening procedure, brush your teeth gently to avoid discomfort.
Brushing your teeth twice a day should be part of your aftercare. You can also ask your dentist about the right toothbrush for your newly whitened teeth.
You can also brush your teeth with whitening toothpaste once or twice a week.
It will help remove any surface stains which may build up over time, preventing further discolouration. Don’t forget to floss and rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash daily to help any plaque buildup.
If you consumed dark-coloured food or drinks, rinse your mouth out afterwards and brush your teeth.
7. Visit your dentist for a follow-up
Maintain your dental visits after your teeth whitening procedure. With a dental check-up, you can monitor your progress.
It will also ensure that there are no damages done during your teeth whitening process.
Having a dental professional check your teeth, you will receive professional advice and action steps to maintain your brighter smile.
Tooth For Thought
Professional teeth whitening is a fast and safer way to instantly brighten your smile, boost your confidence, and make you look younger.
Professional teeth whitening requires a commitment to aftercare routines to receive the benefits over time.
If you have questions about teeth whitening and the required aftercare for this procedure, you can contact our office today for a dental consultation.