What Should You Avoid After Teeth Whitening?

May 1, 2023
Teeth can lose their brilliant white color and become dull, yellow, or brownish. The discoloration and staining occur due to aging, genetics, eating habits, smoking, certain drugs, or trauma. Fortunately, a dentist can lighten or remove the discoloration through teeth whitening in New York, NY. Read on to learn about the teeth whitening procedure and what to avoid afterwards.

What Is a Teeth Whitening Procedure?

It is a procedure to remove or lighten discoloration on teeth for a whiter appearance. Teeth staining or discoloration can occur in two ways, extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains appear on the tooth surface due to taking colored foods or drinks, smoking, or regular wear. They can be removed through cleaning and whitening by a dentist near you. Intrinsic stains form inside the tooth as a result of trauma, genetics, excess fluoride, and antibiotics use. These stains are not easily removed. They require months of teeth whitening to achieve a whiter smile. Some can only be lightened but not eliminated. So, the dentist will recommend cosmetic dental treatments to disguise their appearance. Therefore, a teeth whitening procedure will vary depending on the type of stains on the teeth. You can remove light extrinsic stains through at-home teeth whitening. This involves using store-bought whitening kits as per the manufacturer’s instructions. The method does not achieve excellent results and may damage your gums or teeth. Extrinsic and intrinsic stains can be effectively cleared through professional teeth whitening. The procedure is safely performed by a dentist in their dental office. They use a highly concentrated bleaching agent and other techniques to achieve a perfectly white smile. The dentist will apply the bleaching agent on your teeth and shine a special light on them. The light produces heat that accelerates the whitening process. Some bleaching methods include laser teeth whitening, LED teeth whitening, and ZOOM! Teeth whitening. Also, the dentist can customize at-home whitening kits to eradicate stubborn intrinsic stains.

How to Take Care of Your Teeth After Teeth Whitening

In-office teeth whitening substantially improves the brightness and whiteness of your smile. Your new smile will look whiter and more attractive. However, whitening is not a permanent solution to discoloration. Your teeth are susceptible to stains and will lose their brilliantness after a while. So, they need special care for a prolonged whitened effect. Below are tips for caring for your teeth after whitening.
  1. Reduce sensitivity
The teeth whitening process impacts your tooth. It results in increased sensitivity to extreme temperatures. So, it is expected to experience sensitivity for a few days after the procedure. You can reduce the discomfort by taking room-temperature foods and beverages for the first 48 hours. You can use desensitizing toothpaste and anesthetic gel if the pain is unbearable.
  1. Avoid colored foods and beverages
The pores in your teeth open during the whitening process and remain open for a while. This makes your teeth highly susceptible to staining during the first 24 hours. So, dentists advise patients to avoid taking colored foods and drinks immediately afterwards. Such foods include soy sauce, cured meats, curry powder, chocolate, and dark-colored fruits. The drinks to avoid are coffee, red wine, beer, tea, and juices that leave dark stains on teeth. You can consume them after 48 hours but sparingly since they can still stain teeth. It is ideal to rinse or brush your teeth after taking them to reduce the chances of discoloration.
  1. Avoid tobacco products
Tobacco contains nicotine that stains teeth giving them a yellowish or brownish color. So, it is prudent to avoid smoking, vaping, e-cigarettes, or chewing tobacco after teeth whitening. Consider quitting if you want to maintain a white smile for a long time. If unable to stop, request your dentist for touch-up whitening treatments every six months.
  1. Follow up with your dentist
Your dentist can help you extend the longevity of your whitened teeth. They can custom-make whitening trays for your home use for a longer-lasting white smile. Also, the experts can do touch-up treatments regularly for durable effects. In addition, they can also help you reduce prolonged tooth sensitivity after whitening. So, visit them regularly. Are you considering improving your smile through teeth whitening in New York, NY? Then contact us at Glen J. Graffeo, D.D.S. We offer various safe and effective teeth whitening treatments for a brilliant white smile.
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