40 million Americans
use teeth whitening products of some sort. Whether they get their teeth
whitened professionally or with over the counter products, it is important to
maintain the results.
Teeth whitening aftercare is imperative because
your teeth's color will change over time. No one's teeth stay the same color
forever. Instead, they'll darken and turn yellow due to everyday habits and
food and drink.
In this blog post, we'll go over how to keep
your teeth looking as white as they did immediately after your whitening
treatment.
Teeth Whitening Aftercare:
The Basics
After you've had your teeth whitened, avoid
any foods that could cause your teeth to stain for at least two days after
you've had your procedure. This also includes smoking and chewing tobacco
products, as these activities can also leave marks and stains on your teeth.
When you have bleaching done professionally,
it can make your teeth even more porous they were to begin with. This makes
them easier to stain, and it makes it all the more important to avoid these
foods and activities that can stain your teeth.
While you should wait 48 hours to resume any
activities or foods that could stain your teeth, it's best to wait for an
entire week. To maximize your whitening results, you should also limit these
foods and activities in the future.
What Foods Stain Your Teeth?
There are many foods that can stain your teeth
and should be limited. The most common culprits include tea, coffee, and
colored soda, like Diet Coke or Coke.
Other products that can stain your teeth
include red wine and berries.
Brush Your Teeth Regularly
After you've had your teeth whitened, make
sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly. You may even want to brush and
floss more than normal to ensure that your teeth look their absolute best.
After all, you've put time and effort into getting them white, so you should
keep them that way.
Brushing your teeth immediately after eating
can also help you brush away stains that could accumulate on your teeth. Start
incorporating brushing your teeth after eating staining foods in your daily
routine to ensure your teeth stay white for as long as possible.
Use Whitening Toothpaste a
Week or So After Your Procedure
As your teeth will be more porous after the procedure
, they'll also
be slightly more sensitive. You should veer away from using other products that
contain whitening ingredients immediately after having it done.
However, once the sensitivity goes down, you
can maintain the whiteness by brushing your teeth with whitening toothpaste.
Incorporate this into your daily routine, and you'll likely notice that your
teeth stay whiter for a longer period of time than if you use regular toothpaste.
Use Straws to Avoid Staining
If you're a caffeine addict and staying away
from coffee or tea isn't an option, use a straw to drink them with. You can
purchase metal straws at a variety of outlets that you can clean and reuse.
Metal straws are perfect to use with both hot
and cold drinks, and they're not bad for the environment like plastic or
reusable straws.
Some metal straws even have a carrying case so
that you can pop them in your purse or bag and use them wherever you go. Even
if you go somewhere where they're not offering straws, you'll still have them
ready for you so that you don't have to stain your teeth.
Stop Smoking
Smoking can stain your teeth, and do so quite
badly. It's also generally bad for your health
.
Having your teeth whitened and then picking up the habit again is
counterintuitive, so it's a good idea to make it a goal to stop smoking
altogether.
If you're unable to quit smoking or are
finding it difficult, talk to your doctor about steps you can take to make it
easier, including alternatives that are better for you.
If you stop smoking, not only will your teeth
be whiter, but you'll generally have far better health than someone who does
smoke.
Eat Foods That Stain
Sparingly
Having a glass of red wine or a bowl of
berries every so often isn't going to hurt your teeth. But be mindful of it,
and only do so on occasion.
If you still love berries and want to get all
of their nutritional value without the stains on your teeth, consider making
smoothies and drinking them through straws. This will give you the same yummy
goodness without compromising your tooth color.
Do Whitening Chewing Gums
Help?
Whitening chewing gums can marginally help
your teeth stay white, but they aren't necessarily recommended. They require an
enormous amount of gum for you to see any real difference, and can exacerbate
issues like TMJ disorders if chewed as often as needed.
Instead, stick with whitening your teeth
professionally and maintaining them as much as possible.
Getting Your Teeth Whitened
Teeth whitening aftercare is incredibly
important when it comes to ensuring that your teeth look pearly white. You
wouldn't wash your car and then immediately drive into a puddle, would you? So
why allow your teeth to become stained after getting them whitened?
Taking good care of your teeth is essential
for overall health, as well, and keeping your teeth white will also keep them
healthy.
If you'd like to discuss teeth whitening
procedures with our team, request an appointment today
. We'll
find a time that's convenient for you and discuss your options.
