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teeth whitening aftercare
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Can I eat peanut butter after teeth whitening?

Can I eat Spinach after teeth whitening?

How long after teeth whitening can I eat normally?

For how long would I have to avoid coffee after teeth whitening?

You must have Googled these questions and more after your whitening treatment, right? After paying for a professional teeth whitening treatment, you want your newly achieved bright smile to persist and carry long-lasting effects. The last thing you want is for your treatment to go to waste.

The first forty-eight hours after your whitening treatment are particularly crucial. During this time, be sure to follow post-teeth-whitening care instructions thoroughly if you want value for money for your whitening treatment.

This article will help in answering all your questions related to teeth whitening aftercare and offer more tips.

Teeth Whitening Aftercare

The first 48 hours after a teeth whitening treatment are crucial to maintaining your results. Whether you’ve had it done professionally or used an at-home kit, your teeth become temporarily more porous during this time. That means they can absorb stains more easily, making them especially vulnerable to discoloration.

To make the most of your brighter smile and keep stains at bay, it’s important to follow a few simple but effective aftercare steps:

Do’s & Don’ts

Here’s a quick list of what to do after teeth whitening and what to strictly avoid

Do’s

  • Use straws as much as possible so that the minimum amount of drinks come in contact with your teeth.
  • If you feel pain and discomfort, you can take OTC pain relievers from any good brand, like ibuprofen.
  • Use maintenance products like whitening toothpaste, fluoride-rich mouthwash, etc.
  • Rinse your mouth after every meal to get rid of any food and drink residue.
  • Brush twice and floss once a day to protect your dental health.

Foods and Drinks You Can Have After Teeth Whitening:

Eat the White Diet

Dentists include the white diet for the first 48 hours in their teeth whitening aftercare instructions. Your teeth become slightly porous immediately after the whitening. Your dentin layer is also exposed for a brief period. Therefore, food with strong acid and color can easily get absorbed into your teeth.

A white diet is the safest for this period as it doesn’t contain any strong dyes or pigments that can discolor your teeth. Some of the components of the white diet are as follows:

  • Milk
  • Potato in baked form
  • Water
  • Rice
  • Flour tortillas
  • Grilled chicken
  • Tofu
  • Oatmeal
  • Cream of wheat
  • Plain pasta in white sauce
  • Fish
  • White bread
  • Bananas and apples after peeling them off
  • Dairy products like white cheese, cottage cheese, cream, plain yogurt, etc.

Don’ts

  • Avoid using a home whitening kit post-professional teeth whitening.
  • Don’t use any regular toothpaste instead of whitening toothpaste.
  • Don’t cut down on brushing twice and flossing once a day.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid After Teeth Whitening:

  1. Avoid Coffee and Tea

    It’s difficult for most people to start their day without coffee or tea. But these drinks stain your teeth. So go for white beverages like milk and yogurt instead for a couple of days. Are you a fan of chamomile tea? In that case, you must be thinking, does chamomile tea stain teeth? Yes, it can!

  2. Avoid Dark Sauces

    Yes, all the tangy and spicy sauces that add to the taste of your food are dark. But you need to avoid them for some time after teeth whitening. Swipe your soy, barbeque, and red pasta sauce with white sauces.

  3. Avoid Dark Chocolate

    It’s “dark” chocolate! The name says it all. The caffeine in dark chocolates often stains teeth. If you can’t leave chocolates at all for even a day or two, ask your dentist about what kind of chocolate you can consume.

  4. Avoid Acidic Foods

    Acidic foods may not directly stain the teeth, but they are not suitable for your enamel. And post-whitening, your enamel is sensitive for some time. So avoid sour and acidic food for 48 hours after teeth whitening.

  5. Keep Away From Tobacco

    Cigarettes and tobacco products degrade the color of your white teeth, leading to staining and pigmentation. It is crucial to avoid these harmful products for a while, especially after your teeth whitening treatment, to rescue your beautiful new smile from unpleasant stains.

  6. Avoid Colored Toothpaste and Mouthwash

    If your toothpaste is colored (red or blue, for example), make sure to switch to plain, white toothpaste. That is because, after teeth whitening, your teeth will be extra sensitive to staining. It would be best to stay away from colored mouthwashes as well for the next 48 hours.

  7. Avoid Alcoholic Drinks

    One of the most common queries dentists get is, “Can I drink beer after teeth whitening?” You must avoid any dark-colored alcoholic drinks post-whitening. You can drink vodka or gin with a straw. But beer and wine are prohibited. However, it’s best to refrain from any alcoholic drink for 48 hours post-whitening.

    If you want to consume alcohol, restrict to uncolored drinks with water or light mixers. These won’t directly affect the color of your newly whitened teeth post-treatment.

Why Regular Checkups are Essential?

In addition to these instructions, make sure to visit your dentist routinely for a lasting, bright smile. Regular six-month cleanings, touch-up treatments, and dental exams are essential for the overall health of your teeth and mouth.

Sometimes touch-ups may be necessary because what you eat or drink is going to chip away at those results. A touch-up can restore that natural shine to your smile. These would help you keep away from oral health problems and maintain a consistently healthy and beautiful smile.

Brighten your smile right away! Trust Coral Dental Care’s expert aftercare guide for long-lasting teeth whitening results!

Maximize your teeth whitening results: Schedule your consultation now!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. How long after teeth whitening can I eat normally?

    It’s best to follow a “white diet” for at least 24 to 48 hours after whitening. This means avoiding dark-colored, acidic, or staining foods and drinks. After that, you can slowly return to your regular diet. Just continue being mindful of foods that may cause staining.

  2. Can I drink water right after teeth whitening?

    Yes, drinking plain water is not only safe but recommended. It helps rinse your mouth, keeps you hydrated, and won’t interfere with your whitening results.

  3. How long do toothpores stay open after whitening?

    Teeth can remain more porous for up to 48 hours after treatment. During this time, they are more likely to absorb stains, so be cautious with what you eat and drink.

  4. Do teeth get whiter days after whitening?

    In some cases, yes. You might notice your teeth continue to brighten slightly over the next day or two as surface dehydration resolves and the whitening gel completes its effect.

  5. Is it normal for teeth to hurt after whitening?

    Some sensitivity or mild discomfort is common, especially within the first 24 hours. This usually fades quickly. Using a sensitivity toothpaste and avoiding very hot or cold foods can help ease discomfort.

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