After Care

Teeth whitening treatments involve the use of a bleaching agent to break down and remove stains on the tooth’s surface. These bleaching agents penetrate your enamel through the pores in your teeth. Bleaching opens the pores in your teeth so that the bleaching agent can be better absorbed, and stains forced out. 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. It’s important to note that while the pores in your teeth should be back to their normal size after 48 hours, please use caution for a full week to ensure that your teeth whitening procedure achieves the best possible results.

Brush and floss as normal – You can continue with the recommended dental care routine immediately after teeth.

Use anti-sensitivity toothpaste or gel – If you are experiencing uncomfortable sensitivity after your teeth whitening treatment, switch to an anti-sensitivity toothpaste or use an anti-sensitivity gel. Anti-sensitivity toothpastes are used just as you would use your regular toothpaste. Anti-sensitivity gels are placed on the teeth and help block the pores in the teeth.

Use white toothpastes and clear mouthwashes – Avoid colored toothpastes and mouthwashes as they could prematurely stain your teeth.

Rinse your mouth with water – If you do happen to eat or drink something that could stain your teeth, you can thoroughly rinse your mouth with water to help remove the residual particles.

Wait 30 minutes after eating to brush your teeth – It’s important to wait 30 minutes after eating before you brush or floss your teeth. This is especially important if you’ve eaten food that is acidic or sugary. These foods can temporarily weaken the enamel, which means that if you brush or floss your teeth directly after eating, you could further damage your enamel with the bristles on your toothbrush. 

Over the next 48 hours please avoid the following foods:

Balsamic vinegar, or any vinegar because it is acidic

Barbecue sauce

Beets

Berries

Carmel colored sodas

Chocolate

Citrus fruits and juices

Coffee

Darkly colored tea, including black tea, chai tea, fruit tea and some herbal teas

Red wine

Soy sauce

Spicy foods that may further irritate gums and teeth

Tomatoes and tomato-based products

Turmeric

 Additionally, you may not want to eat foods that are extremely cold or hot because they could irritate your teeth. 

Help Keep You Teeth White Long-term

To ensure the best result for your teeth whitening procedure, it’s best to avoid tobacco products, this includes cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and vape pens. 

Additionally, if you do drink a darkly colored liquid that could stain your teeth, it’s recommended to use a straw. This helps minimize the contact between your teeth and the liquid.

It’s not recommended to have your teeth whitened more than twice a year since excessive whitening can damage your enamel, you may want to think long-term when it comes to keeping your teeth white.  While your restrictions on eating and drinking ease after the first two days, you may want to continue limiting the amount of stain-causing food and drinks you consume and make sure you are following a healthy oral care routine. This will help keep your teeth white for a longer period.