Professional teeth whitening is the most effective way to strip away years of stains in a single day. Keep in mind that teeth whitening is not for everyone. But a teeth whitening aftercare guide will prove essential if you receive the treatment.

Teeth Whitening Aftercare Guide

If you have prominent crowns, fillings, dental bonding, or dental implants the products used to whiten natural teeth will not have the same effects on these synthetic materials.

With that said, in-office professional teeth whitening is a great option for many people. If you’re wondering whether or not you’re a candidate, talk to your dentist in Bloomington.

If you are a good fit for professional teeth whitening, then you will want to make sure you take special care of your teeth afterwards, especially during the first week. These are the top things to keep in mind to ensure that your results last as long as possible.

Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks

Staining foods and drinks include items like berries, dark sauces, dark sodas, coffee, dyed sports drinks, and red wine. You should try to avoid these for at least one week following your professional teeth whitening.

If you absolutely must have some of these in your diet, then opt for a liquid form and use a straw. Using a straw will reduce the amount of direct contact with the front of your teeth, but it will not eliminate it entirely.

As a result, you may notice that your teeth whitening isn’t as effective if you start consuming these items in those first few days.

Abstain from Smoking

Smoking wreaks havoc on your teeth and causes severe staining. To protect your teeth during the sensitive stages that follow professional teeth whitening, you should totally abstain from smoking cigarettes and other drugs.

If you have a well-established nicotine addiction, then you should stock up on sugar-free nicotine gum or nicotine patches to help get you through those first few days. While your dentist would prefer that you quit entirely, abstaining for at least 5 or 6 days is much better than nothing.

Avoid Acidic Foods

The products used to whiten your teeth can temporarily weaken your enamel. As a result, they will be more susceptible to acidic foods and tooth decay for those first few days.

Avoiding acidic products that include acidic items like citrus, tomatoes, and coffee is in your best interest for the first week or so following your whitening treatment.

Floss Daily

As mentioned above, your teeth are going to be a bit sensitive to harm for the first few days after your teeth whitening in Bloomington. In order to protect them, you will want to make sure that your daily hygiene routine is as flawless as possible.

You should carefully floss each tooth and underneath the edge of the gums once a day to remove stubborn bacteria that could take advantage of the weakened state of your teeth.

You should also endeavor to brush after each meal, but rinse your mouth first and wait at least ten minutes if you have consumed something acidic.

Use a Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth

If you aren’t already using a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth, then you might want to pick up a tube. Your dentist will be able to make a few suggestions if you aren’t really sure where to start.

A sensitive toothpaste includes additives that help to protect sensitive teeth against common aggravants without harming the enamel or dentin. While you may not need to use a sensitive toothpaste for very long, it isn’t a bad idea to go through the whole tube before transitioning back to your preferred option.

Taking Care of Your Teeth Post-Whitening

If you have any additional questions regarding how you should take care of your teeth after a professional teeth whitening, talk to your dentist.