Tips for Teeth Whitening Aftercare

Teeth whitening aftercare doesn't have to be complicated, especially with our easy-to-follow tips. When you have your teeth whitened, you want the results to last as long as possible. Aftercare is extremely important when it comes to prolonging these results. Directly following your teeth whitening appointment or at-home application is when you should pay the closest attention to keep your teeth stain-free. Continue reading to learn more about our tips for a longer-lasting, whiter smile.

What to Avoid

After you have had your teeth whitened, you should keep in mind that they remain their most vulnerable to staining during the first 48 hours after whitening. If you want to enhance your results and lengthen the time that your teeth remain white, make sure to avoid consuming darkly-colored or richly-colored items. Some of the typical foods and drinks to avoid are tea, wine, coffee, all types of berries, cherries, beets, chocolate, dark sauces, and similarly colored items. You should also avoid smoking or using chewing tobacco.

Teeth whitening aftercare should also include the avoidance of soda, pickles, oranges, lemons, limes, and any other acidic foods or drinks. Following teeth whitening, your enamel tubules (pores) will be weakened and will open up temporarily. The weakening of surface enamel leaves your teeth more susceptible to staining and decay directly after whitening.

What to Increase

After 48 hours have passed, you can help maintain your whitened results by increasing your consumption of a few key items during teeth whitening aftercare. Some foods can actually scrub and clean your teeth while you eat them, keeping them white. Crunchy or firm vegetables and fruits are great options. Carrots, celery, green beans, and apples are some of the best choices. They promote saliva flow, which cleanses your teeth and neutralizes the acid, and the crunchiness helps to rub off any staining that hasn't set in yet. Also, remember that if you are eating darkly colored fruits and vegetables, you should rinse your mouth out immediately afterward so that the colors don't shade your teeth.

In addition to the right fruits and vegetables, you should consume dairy products and other foods that are high in calcium. The nutrients in these items help your teeth stay strong and prevent decay, and the white color doesn't affect the shade of your teeth.  

Right after your teeth whitening, your teeth may be slightly sensitive. You should avoid temperatures that are too hot or too cold. You can also use a special toothpaste made for sensitive teeth in order to strengthen them against discomfort. After you have your teeth whitened, avoid the wrong items as much as possible. If these items are good for you nutritionally, you can still eat them, but be sure to rinse your teeth off or brush them right after. If you can't brush your teeth immediately, chewing sugar-free gum can help keep decay from occurring and help limit staining.

We hope our tips for teeth whitening aftercare were easy to understand and will be easy to apply. Visit our office for more information on achieving whiter teeth that last longer.