5 Things to Avoid After Whitening Your Teeth
Whitening your teeth is a feeling like no other! After whitening your teeth, they will shine like never before. Now, you must know how to take care of your precious investment. Whether you go through a bleaching process during an in-office whitening, a take-home whitening kit, or any other whitening procedure, we must be careful about eating after whitening teeth. We all have slightly porous teeth, so once we get a professional whitening treatment, many go on a ‘teeth-whitening diet.’
One popular whitening treatment is the Teeth Whitening (GLO™science) treatment, famous for its fantastic results. Some of these treatments make your teeth several shades lighter and can give you drastic results. This is why eating after whitening teeth can be a delicate process. There are several foods to avoid after whitening to keep them from darkening right away, so when people search for teeth-whitening foods to avoid, we call that going on a ‘whitening diet.’
The 5 Things to Avoid After Teeth Whitening
As mentioned, we want to avoid certain foods to help preserve our teeth-whitening procedure for as long as possible. Also, some teeth might be slightly sensitive after the procedure, so it is recommended that we avoid several items mentioned here.
1. Dark-Colored Foods and Drinks:
Dark-colored beverages and dark-colored foods can reverse some of the results seen in your whitening procedure. These can be drinks like red wine containing tannins, believed to be responsible for teeth staining. Other dark sauces like soy sauce, carbonated beverages (which usually have dyes), and other stain-causing foods can cause severe discoloration.2. Smoking or Using Tobacco:
Smoking tobacco products is another item that should be avoided after teeth whitening. Smoking can quickly reverse the results and cause discoloration. It can also cause stains and plaque and harm your oral health. Smoking, in general, can cause oral health issues, and constant smoking can cause discoloration as well.3. Acidic Foods and Drinks:
Remembering the acidic content of many different foods and drinks is crucial. Right after whitening treatments, acidic foods can cause sensitivity and other issues. These are foods like tomatoes, berries, citrus fruits, ketchup, mustard, dark fruits, and acidic beverages. It is best to limit the amount of these foods you eat to avoid causing issues after whitening.4. Excessive Hot or Cold Drinks:
Teeth can be highly sensitive after whitening procedures. With highly sensitive teeth, it is best to avoid excessively hot or cold drinks, as they can be painful to drink. Usually, tooth sensitivity is temporary, but this is something to watch out for. Drinking hot or cold temperatures for days or weeks can be tricky, but it should subside.5. Colored Oral Care Products:
Many people might disregard colored oral care products, but these can harm beautiful whitening results. Though dentists will recommend you continue brushing your teeth, your dental care mustn’t have any harsh dyes, colorants, or colored pigments. This can be things like “whitening toothpastes” that can be purple or black and could cause staining.Oral hygiene After Teeth Whitening
After a dental cleaning or whitening treatment, we want to be extra careful when continuing an excellent dental care treatment. Temporary tooth porosity is possible since whitening treatment uses chemicals to clean and whiten your teeth. Post-whitening care given by your dentists is the best advice to follow, but these are also some tips that can be helpful:
- Soft-bristled toothbrush: can help with sensitivity
- Non-abrasive toothpaste: makes sure not to agitate sensitivity
- Avoiding sugary treats: bad for dental health in general and causes enamel weakening
All of these tips for what to avoid are essential for maintaining results.
Contact An Experienced Doctor at Miracle Dental
A beautiful smile is just one call away! Our experienced, kind, and caring Dentist In Horsham will make your smile right! Whether it’s whitening, tooth replacement, a regular cleaning, or any other dental procedure, we are the office for you. Our office is full of eager and caring professionals who cannot wait to curate a beautiful smile for you. Our office has many whitening procedures that give you your dream smile, and our doctors can help you pick the right procedure. Call us today to learn more and get closer to a beautiful smile!
FAQs
How Long Should I Avoid Certain Foods and Drinks After Whitening?
There is no established time for how long you should avoid certain foods and drinks after whitening. A couple of days to a few weeks should be safe, but the best advice to follow is that of a trusted dentist. Generally, the recommendation is to drink and eat these foods all in moderation. If you are a frequent coffee drinker, wine drinker, or smoker, you should reconsider your habits if you want to avoid staining your teeth.
Is Professional Whitening Better Than At-Home Treatments?
Professional Whitening is better than at-home treatments. Dentists who perform professional whitening treatments are trained specialists who know how to administer these treatments carefully, efficiently, and safely. Dentists also have access to chemicals and treatments that are not always safe for at-home use. At-home treatments can provide results, but they generally don’t last as long or as strong.
Will Teeth Sensitivity After Whitening Go Away?
Teeth sensitivity after whitening almost always goes away. You should consult with a dentist to ensure a general time period for the sensitivity to persist. You can always check in with a dentist if you feel that your sensitivity is severe, or lasting longer than you expected. A few days to weeks is a general time period, but again, it is best to check with a professional.
Can I Use a Straw to Drink Coffee After Whitening?
Using a straw to drink coffee after whitening is highly advisable! This is true especially if you are a frequent coffee drinker. Constant coffee on your teeth can wear down enamel, and cause staining, since coffee can be really dark and potent. So, using a straw or slowing the frequency of coffee drinking can be really helpful to stop your teeth from staining so much.