After getting your teeth whitened, you’ll want to follow the aftercare instructions so you can get the most out of the experience. A single procedure can do wonders for improving your smile, but only if you follow the instructions given by your dentist or cosmetic specialist. So today, we’ll remind you of several dos and don’ts of teeth whitening aftercare.

Smiling woman

There could be many foods in your diet which could cause your teeth to be discoloured or stained prior to the whitening session. Avoiding these for the first 24 hours and beyond will ensure that you won’t have to book another appointment any time soon.

Food and Drinks to Have or Avoid

While a tooth whitening procedure doesn’t mean making a drastic change to your diet, sticking to The White Diet can help protect your teeth from getting that yellow tint again. Following The White Diet is easy; simply stick to white alternatives. For instance, white wine is okay but red wine is not.

Sticking to The White Diet is especially important in the first 48 hours following your procedure as the pores within the enamel are still open, making them highly susceptible to stains.

Okay:

  • White wine
  • Sparkling water
  • Water
  • Skimmed milk
  • Coconut water
  • Gin
  • Vodka
  • Bananas
  • Potatoes (peeled)
  • Cottage cheesePotatoes and white onions
  • Cauliflowers
  • White sauces
  • White pasta
  • White rice
  • White fish
  • Turkey
  • Chicken
  • Low-fat yoghurt
  • Rice crispies
  • Egg whites
  • Crustless white bread
  • White onions

Not Okay:

  • Energy drinks
  • Colas and other carbonated drinks
  • Coffee and tea
  • Fruit or vegetable juice
  • Dark or stout beer
  • Red wine
  • Margarine and butter
  • Beets
  • Soy sauce
  • Red sauces
  • Tomatoes
  • Wheat bread
  • Chocolate
  • Spinach, broccoli, and green vegetables
  • Carrots and other orange produce
  • Berries, including fillings in pies and other baked goods
  • Other colourful foods

Other Things to Watch Out For

Flossing

Apart from avoiding certain food items and drinks after your teeth whitening treatment, you have to be mindful of many other things. For one, remember to floss regularly for longer-lasting whitening results. Here are more tips to follow after a teeth whitening procedure:

Dos of Teeth Whitening Aftercare:

  • Using a straw as much as possible. Expect to catch some stares when you’re doing this with a cup of tea, but this will minimise the contact between the liquid and your teeth and minimise staining.
  • Taking over-the-counter pain relievers. If you experience pain or tooth sensitivity after your teeth whitening session, you can take your everyday paracetamol or any similar medication for relief. You can also ask your dentist for prescription medicine if you prefer.
  • Choosing smudge-proof lipstick or lip gloss. Keep lip makeup from getting on your teeth, especially if you are using them on a regular basis. They can actually leave a permanent stain on the enamel if you aren’t careful.
  • Using maintenance products. Strengthen your tooth enamel and seal your whitening results in with an enamel booster. Get touch-ups on the go with a teeth whitening pen. Check out our wide array of products to see what can help.
  • Rinsing your mouth after each meal. To ensure that you don’t leave food and drinks in your mouth for too long, swish some water in your mouth right after eating. You can also alternate between sips or rinses of water in between.
  • Flossing regularly. Remove any harmful build-up that could make your teeth yellow. Flossing is also good oral hygiene that can keep your teeth white for a longer time. Don’t overdo it though as you might end up doing harm to your gums.

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Don’ts of Teeth Whitening Aftercare:

  • Smoking heavily and drinking alcohol frequently. These can reverse the effects of teeth whitening. Many alcoholic beverages, such as wine, contain tannins that can lead to yellow teeth. The same goes for nicotine in tobacco. If you can’t quit entirely, at least lessen the frequency and do them in moderation.
  • Eating and drinking anything acidic. Food and drinks that are high in acid content like citrus fruits can open up the pores of the tooth enamel. This will, in turn, allow stains to penetrate your teeth more easily.
  • Consuming extremely hot or cold liquids. These are dangerous to your now white smile as they can change the temperature of your teeth. Temperature changes can cause teeth to expand and contract, allowing stains to penetrate them.
  • Using a home whitening kit. Wait for a month or two before you decide to do so. This is because it may over-whiten and weaken your teeth.
  • Going back to your old toothpaste. Make the switch to whitening toothpaste. Better yet, give our teeth whitening foam a try. Not only can it penetrate enamel but it can also dissolve particles and oxidise stains before they have a chance to discolour your teeth again.
  • Cutting back on the brushing. Some people assume that getting a teeth whitening procedure means that it would be okay to brush only once a day. They’re highly mistaken as proper oral hygiene can extend the life of your dental procedure and keep your mouth as healthy as possible.

The Role of a Dentist in All This

Dental check up

See your dentist regularly even after teeth whitening.

So you were able to get your teeth whitened, and you’re making sure to keep them from turning yellow again. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see your dentist for the next 12 months. In fact, you should book an appointment as regularly as possible. It doesn’t have to be for touch-ups in the whitening results. It can be for check-ups on cavities, gum problems, and other things.

Also, seeing your dentist every now and again can help them determine if the teeth whitening results are as expected or not. It could be that some areas are not as white as they’d like so you might have to get a custom tray for bleaching at home. Your teeth whitening results can last a whole lot longer if you get them checked every once in a while.

Would you like to know more about how a PureSmile dentist can help you with yellow or discoloured teeth? Then, book an appointment for teeth whitening treatment today. We have locations all over Australia and New Zealand, including in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

You’ll find that you will get more than what you’ve bargained for with our team and our services. After all, we are more than just a dental practice. We even offer LED skin rejuvenation services for those who’d like to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles. Who doesn’t want smoother skin and healthier pearly whites at the same time, right?

 

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