After Teeth Whitening: What To Do And What To Avoid
Do:
Brush And Floss Regularly
Brushing and flossing two or three times a day will keep your teeth healthy and white. Ideally, you will floss at night as well as after eating, to clear food particles from your mouth and limit staining. Brushing should also be performed after eating as well as when you wake up and before you go to bed. Try to floss before you brush your teeth so that your fluoride toothpaste can get into all areas between your teeth.
Use Whitening Mouthwash
A whitening mouthwash used after brushing your teeth will help your oral health. Using this whitening mouthwash after eating can help to clear away any staining food particles to keep your teeth nice and white. Using a whitening mouthwash will give you an added boost to help keep your teeth bright.
Drink Water
Drinking water is always good for your oral health. It helps to clear away any food particles in your mouth to reduce staining, and it can be a great substitute for other sugary or acidic drinks. Just remember to skip the lemon in your water, as the acidity from the lemon isn’t great for your teeth. If you need something non-acidic and sugar-free to add some flavour to your water, try cucumber slices instead.
Do Not:
Drink Staining Drinks
Any drinks that are dark or acidic can stain your teeth, with drinks that are both dark and acidic causing the most damage. These drinks include coffee, tea, dark pop, red wine, and cranberry juice to name a few. Other acidic (but not dark) drinks include orange juice, pineapple juice, and lemonade, among others. If you need to get your juice fix, try pear or peach juice, as these are less acidic. And if you need your morning coffee, drink through a straw to help avoid getting coffee stains on your front teeth.
Wear Lipstick Or Coloured Lip Gloss
You can eventually wear these makeup products, but wait for about a week after your teeth whitening. Lipstick is notorious for getting on teeth, and the highly pigmented product may stain your teeth while the enamel is still sensitive after treatment.
Consume Hot Or Cold Drinks
You’ll be able to get back to your hot and cold drinks after about 48 hours, but teeth tend to be more sensitive shortly after teeth whitening and drinking beverages at extreme temperatures may cause pain. The temperature of your drink will not affect the colour of your teeth, but it can cause discomfort.
Smoke
Smoking and using other tobacco products will always cause tooth staining, although the staining can be even worse in the week following your teeth whitening. Smoking and using tobacco products is one of the most common causes of tooth stains, and using these products shortly after receiving teeth whitening can cause even deeper staining. Quitting (or even reducing) tobacco will help to keep staining to a minimum while also keeping your gums healthy.
Teeth Whitening In Calgary
If you want a brighter, whiter smile, teeth whitening performed by a professional can give you the result you desire. At Marlborough Dental Centre in NE Calgary, our team of dental professionals will discuss with you how white you would like your teeth and we will work with you to create a smile you can feel confident about. To schedule a professional teeth whitening session, call Marlborough Dental Centre at 1-403-248-2066 or fill out the online contact form. Our staff can answer any questions you may have before or after your teeth whitening and we can help you learn more about how to prolong your results as well as schedule any touch-ups later on.
FAQ
Q: Is tooth whitening bad for your teeth?
A: No, having your teeth professionally whitened does not damage the enamel.
Q: Can teeth whitening remove all tooth stains?
A: No, teeth whitening can only remove surface level staining, not staining in the dentin of the teeth. To learn more about different stains, read Which Stains Teeth Whitening Can Remove And Those It Can’t. If you want whiter teeth but have deep staining that can’t be removed with teeth whitening, consider getting veneers. Read Teeth Whitening Or Veneers: Which One Will Get You The Smile You Want to learn more about this option.
Q: Can I whiten my teeth at home?
A: While there are teeth whitening kits available for at-home use, these products are not as effective and can lead to disappointing results. Some products can also cause gum irritation and other damage. To learn more about at-home teeth whitening and why in-office teeth whitening performed by a dentist is better, read The Risks Of At-Home Teeth Whitening.
