Balakumar
Proper teeth whitening aftercare is extremely important. Your teeth are sensitive and prone to damage after a teeth whitening procedure. Therefore, you should be cautious of what you eat after whitening and maintain good dental hygiene. Read on to learn more about dental whitening and proper aftercare:
What Is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a common dental procedure. Essentially, your dentist will use a bleach solution on your teeth. The solution removes plaque and discoloration, making your teeth a few shades whiter. Still, you can’t expect your teeth to be extremely bright, as that would require too much bleaching, which can end up damaging your teeth.
Nowadays, you can find many at-home whitening kits at the drugstore. However, it is best to have your teeth whitened by a professional. Doing so yourself can lead to noticeable discoloration, which can be hard or impossible to fix. Additionally, overuse of at-home whitening solutions can severely damage your gums and teeth.
What Happens During Teeth Whitening?
There are two routes you can choose from when it comes to teeth whitening. Firstly, you can opt for at-home whitening guided by your dentist. In that case, your dentist will make a mouthguard that will fit your teeth perfectly. They will give you a bleaching gel and tell you how and when to use it.
As opposed to drugstore kits, the mouthguard is made specifically for your teeth. That means you won’t end up with half-whitened pearly whites by the end of the treatment. However, you should make sure to use the gel exactly as your dentist told you in order to avoid tooth damage.
Secondly, you can choose laser whitening. Teeth whitening with lasers is done at the dentist’s office, and it usually takes about an hour. Your dentist will paint a bleaching gel onto your teeth and shine a laser on them to activate the whitening process.
Teeth Whitening Aftercare Tips
If you don’t take care of your teeth after you whiten them, you may as well be throwing money down the drain. Proper teeth whitening aftercare is integral for successful results. Your teeth are quite sensitive after whitening, so neglecting them can not only interfere with the whitening process but damage them, as well. Here are the teeth whitening aftercare tips you should follow in order to get the most out of the whitening process:
Brush Your Teeth Regularly
The most important tip for teeth whitening aftercare is regular brushing. However, make sure not to overdo it. Your teeth are quite sensitive after whitening, so brushing them too much may cause more damage than good. Your best bet is to brush your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste meant for sensitive teeth. Make sure to floss at least once a day, as well.
Include a Whitening Toothpaste After About a Week
Your teeth are extremely sensitive after the whitening process. Using whitening toothpaste too soon can lead to dental pain and damage. However, after a week or so, it’s okay to start using whitening toothpaste every once in a while. The whitening ingredients in the toothpaste will help maintain your pearly whites bright for longer. Still, make sure to include the toothpaste gradually. If your teeth are still too sensitive, try again in a week or so.
Use Straws When Drinking Dark Liquids
You should avoid dark liquids completely for at least 48 hours after teeth whitening. However, if you are dependent on caffeine, doing so may be difficult. If you need your morning cup of joe, make sure to use a straw.
Additionally, try to get used to straws whenever you’re drinking coffee, tea, wine, or dark sodas. That way, the liquid doesn’t hit your teeth directly, resulting in less staining. However, make sure to use reusable, washable straws, as plastic ones cause a lot of environmental damage.
The White Diet — What Can I Eat After Teeth Whitening
It’s important to eat foods that will aid in your dental health. If you want to keep your teeth in optimal condition, check out this video. However, after you whiten your teeth, you have to make sure not to eat foods that can stain them.
If you want to make sure your teeth stay as white as possible, it’s best to follow the white diet for at least 48 hours. However, try to follow it for a whole week for the best results. Here are the foods you can eat on the white diet and what you should avoid during the teeth whitening aftercare process:
Foods You Can Eat on the White Diet
Think of the white diet like this — if the food is light in color and isn’t highly acidic, you can eat it. Therefore, most carb-loaded foods are safe. For example, you won’t run the risk of staining your teeth with bread, pasta, potatoes, or oatmeal. Meat such as chicken and turkey is also safe to eat, as well as white fish.
Dairy products are generally safe to eat, so you can have as much cheese, sour cream, and yogurt as you please. However, make sure the yogurt doesn’t have berries added to it and that it’s low-fat, since it’s less acidic than full-fat yogurt.
As far as fruits go, bananas and sweeter varieties of apples and pears are safe to eat. Additionally, although egg whites are okay, make sure to avoid the yolks. Since egg yolks contain color, they can stain your teeth, even if they’re in an omelet.
Foods to Avoid on the White Diet
Darkly colored drinks can stain your teeth considerably. Therefore, make sure to avoid coffee, teas, and wine as much as possible. Additionally, avoid all alcohol, fruit juices, and carbonated sodas. Even if they are light in color, these drinks are quite acidic, which can damage your teeth.
Avoid dark condiments, such as balsamic vinegar, tomato sauce, and soy sauce. Additionally, use as little turmeric and curry as possible. These spices stain everything from pots, pans, and plates to your teeth.
Furthermore, don’t eat chocolate for a week after teeth whitening. Avoid acidic fruits, such as lemons, oranges, and pineapples, and dark fruits, such as blackberries and blueberries. Make sure to avoid smoking for as long as you can during the teeth whitening aftercare process, as well. Don’t smoke for at least 48 hours or longer, if you can.
In Conclusion
Teeth whitening aftercare is integral if you want your teeth to stay white for a long time. Following these tips will ensure your dental whitening is successful and your teeth can recover properly. Maintain proper dental hygiene and avoid foods that may stain your teeth. Additionally, avoid tobacco for as long as you can.
