What to Know Before/After Teeth Whitening Treatment (2024)

Teeth Whitening

Beaming White Teething Whitening System – $149

Tooth sensitivity; although uncommon, some people can experience tooth sensitivity during the first 24 to 48 hours after the whitening treatment. People with existing sensitivity, recently cracked teeth, micro-cracks, open cavities, leaking fillings, or other dental conditions that cause sensitivity may find these conditions increase or prolong tooth sensitivity after the treatment. If you experience tooth sensitivity after the treatment, you can use SensodyneTMtoothpaste to ease the discomfort. Brush your teeth with this toothpaste until tooth sensitivity goes away.

What to Know Before/After Teeth Whitening Treatment (2)

After the treatment, it is natural for teeth’ color to regress somewhat over time. This is normal and should be gradual, but it can be accelerated by exposing the teeth to various staining agents, such as coffee, tea, tobacco, red wine, colas, citrus drinks, fruits, etc.

Do not eat or drink anything except water for the first hour after the treatment because the gel opens the pores ofthe enamel and makes the teeth very vulnerable to staining agents.You can resume your everyday habits 24 hours after your treatment. Also, be aware that drinks and food are not the only things that can stain our teeth when the pores are open; lipstick/lip gloss, for example, can stain too. Do NOT apply lipstick/lip gloss soon after whitening your teeth.

Results

Results may vary. How long the results will last depends on two main factors:

  1. Your habits
  2. The porosity of your teeth

If you regularly expose your teeth to staining agents such as tobacco, coffee, red wine, tea, colas, etc., your whitening results will not last as long. If you have naturally porous enamel, your teeth will be more vulnerable to staining agents, and your teeth will get stained again sooner than the average person. Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing how porous your teeth are ahead of time. Generally speaking, if you have permeable enamel and regularly expose your teeth to staining agents, your results may last only six months. If you have non-porous enamel and don’t expose your teeth to staining beverages regularly, the results may last up to two years.

Make the results of your professional teeth whitening treatment last longer by following The White Diet for 24 to 48 hours afterward.

The White Diet

Non-Staining Beverages

  • Water
  • Sparkling Water
  • Milk

Beverages to Avoid

  • OJ and Acidic Fruit Juices
  • Tea and Coffee
  • Red Wine
  • Energy Drinks

Non-Staining Alcoholic Drinks

  • White Wine or Champagne
  • Vodka or Gin Martini
  • Vodka or Gin and Club Soda or 7-Up

Alcoholic Drinks to Avoid

  • Red Wine
  • Stout or Dark Beer

Non-Staining Food

  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • White Fish
  • White Rice
  • White Pasta
  • Potatoes (no skin)
  • White Cheese Sauces
  • Cauliflower
  • Cottage Cheese
  • Bananas

Foods to Avoid

Avoid foods with color. The more color, the more likely it can stain your teeth.

  • Carrots, Yams, and Orange-Colored Fruits and Vegetables
  • Broccoli, Spinach, Green Vegetables
  • Chocolate
  • Tomatoes and Red Sauces
  • Beets
  • Wheat Bread
  • Butter and Margarine

Avoid Extremely Hot or Cold Liquids

These are dangerous to your white smile because they can change the temperature of your teeth. This temperature change (hot and cold cycling) causes your teeth to expand and contract, allowing stains to penetrate the teeth. Avoid beverages with extreme temperatures or drink them with a straw to minimize contact with your teeth. DON’T CHEW ON ICE!

Avoid Acidic Foods and Beverages

Acidic foods and beverages open the pores of your enamel, allowing stains to penetrate your teeth more easily. They also contribute to the erosion of your tooth enamel. Drink acidic beverages with a straw to minimize exposure to your teeth. DON’T SUCK ON LEMONS AND LIMES!

Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol

Daily consumption of tobacco and alcohol can rapidly reverse the results of your teeth whitening. Many alcoholic beverages have tannins that can stain the teeth. The same goes for nicotine in tobacco. This is just one more good reason to quit or cut back. DON’T CHEW TOBACCO!

Avoid Deeply Colored Lipstick

Please let us know if you have any allergies. Some people are allergic to peroxide but are not aware of it. If you had the treatment done and a few hours or a day later you have a blister on your lips, you probably have an allergic reaction to the gel. Buy liquid vitamin E in any drugstore and apply it to the blister until it goes away. It generally goes away within a couple of days by itself anyway.

We are not a dental facility, nor are we, hygienists or dentists. Instead, the estheticians at Smoothe LLC supervise your teeth whitening service in a friendly, clean environment, making an affordable teeth whitening option for you.

What to Know Before/After Teeth Whitening Treatment (2024)

FAQs

What to Know Before/After Teeth Whitening Treatment? ›

After Teeth Whitening

What not to do before teeth whitening? ›

Avoid Acidic Foods and Beverages

Acidic foods and beverages open the pores of your enamel, allowing stains to penetrate your teeth more easily. They also contribute to the erosion of your tooth enamel. Drink acidic beverages with a straw to minimize exposure to your teeth.

Do and don'ts after teeth whitening? ›

Don't Consume Foods that Can Stain Your Teeth

For both over-the-counter and professional teeth whitening, the first few days after treatment are the most critical. Avoid dark foods/liquids, drink through a straw when you can, don't smoke, brush/floss frequently and you should be looking great.

What precautions should you take after teeth whitening? ›

Your teeth will be sensitive after the whitening procedure. You should generally avoid meals that are either too hot or too cold. Buying toothpaste designed especially for sensitive teeth will help to reduce potential discomfort. It is advisable to avoid eating the wrong foods or drinks as much as possible.

How long after teeth whitening can I eat normally? ›

When the dentist whitens teeth, your teeth can become sensitive to different foods that can stain. After 24-72 hours, you can resume your regular diet. The following are the things that you need to avoid after teeth whitening. Sugary foods can irritate your teeth and trigger the bacteria responsible for causing decay.

How long do teeth pores stay open after whitening? ›

The pores slowly close over the next two to three days, but during that time, your teeth are more susceptible to staining from foods and drinks. For at least the first 48 hours, it's best to avoid darkly colored foods and drinks, including berries, coffee, tea, red wine, and tomato sauce.

How long does it take for teeth to heal after whitening? ›

But, there is no need to get panic. This discomfort will disappear shortly, and you will get healed in 1-2 days following the Teeth Whitening Treatment in Pasadena.

How to seal teeth after whitening? ›

By gently coating your teeth with a product like MI Paste or Colgate's Pro-Argin Toothpaste, you will plug up open pores on your teeth and reduce sensitivity. Additionally, the remineralizing effects of these pastes help to improve whitening.

Can you mess up teeth whitening? ›

Whitening your teeth before having the plaque removed can result in uneven color instead of the uniform pearly whites you're looking for. Inflamed gums can also mess up teeth whitening because the process itself causes gum irritation – whether you do it at home or professionally at a dentist's office.

What is the best aftercare for teeth whitening? ›

After a whitening procedure, it is recommended to brush the teeth gently because they may be sensitive. Even though brushing is an important part of aftercare, it's best to brush lightly to avoid pain and whitening stripping. Make sure your toothbrush has soft bristles at all times.

Do I brush teeth after whitening? ›

As for whether you should brush your teeth after using whitening strips, there is no definitive answer. While some experts recommend brushing immediately after removing the strips to ensure all residue is removed, others advise waiting for 30 minutes to allow the enamel to rehydrate and minimize potential abrasion.

Is it better to brush your teeth before or after teeth whitening? ›

Brushing before applying Whitestrips can help remove surface stains and improve product adherence. Yet, it's equally essential to follow up with a gentle post-treatment brushing to eliminate residual gel and maintain oral hygiene. The ideal sequence can vary depending on personal preferences and product instructions.

Is it OK to eat before teeth whitening? ›

While you shouldn't eat straight before your appointment, it's okay to eat one or so hours before your teeth whitening treatment has been booked. And because a session usually lasts around one hour, eating before your treatment may help curve any hunger during or immediately after your session.

How to get the best results from teeth whitening? ›

During the entire process of whitening, we sometimes advise to change your diet and avoid tooth staining foodstuffs such as tea, coffee, red wine and curry. Avoid smoking if possible. Maintain good oral hygiene. Tooth surfaces close to your gums might take longer to whiten; however, you shouldn't worry too much.

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