Post Operative Care – Teeth Whitening Treatment

Congratulations! Shocking why?

If you are reading this blog, either you got your teeth whitening treatment  or you are thinking of it. We would highly appreciate and help you get out of all the myths or fears and clear your doubts about tooth whitening.

When we ask people what they will do to make their smile brighter, most people comment they undergo teeth whitening. The color of teeth plays a key role in making the smile look good. If the teeth are discolored there are many cases that show discomfort to smile.

Tooth whitening only begins and is carried out in the dental chair. The aftercare procedures are something that you need to be taken care to follow. Teeth whitening brings a lot of benefits and you can enjoy all of those only when you properly follow the post-operative tips listed in this blog.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is teeth whitening?
3. Different teeth whitening options
4. Features of dental care after whitening
5. Aftercare tips for the first 48 hours
6. Tips for a professional teeth whitening aftercare
7. What to eat and drink after treatment?
8. Conclusion
9. FAQs

 To know more about Teeth Whitening treatment procedures and factors to know before undergoing the treatment, read our blog here.

Teeth whitening is a procedure to remove the scars or spots on the teeth. However few well-formed scars can’t be removed, they can be lightened so that they won’t dominate the smile. The commonly used chemical for teeth whitening is a peroxide-based gel which reacts with the oxygen in the mouth and forms hydrogen peroxide and water. This solution is more susceptible to staining and it starts removing the stains. The teeth whitening procedure takes about 10 minutes to 1 hour based on the concentration of the gel used.

Teeth whitening can also be done by some f over-the-counter products such as whitening toothpaste, strips, or bleaching kits. These may not be much effective but depends on the quality of the product and the intensity of the stains on teeth.

Before you undergo the teeth whitening treatment, get an appointment from the best dentist near you and know what caused tooth discoloration. The dentists will examine your teeth, gums cheeks, teeth condition, and the deeper layers of the tooth. Then the dentist determines the most appropriate type of treatment for you. Tooth whitening may cause inflammation which is common and vanishes in a few days.

Below are the few procedures that marked their footprints giving out the best result.

1. In-office bleaching:   

It is the most preferred and efficient procedure. They will apply a protective gel to your gums, and a bleaching gel on your teeth. Then they set you under a special light. This procedure gives instant results. 

2. At-home professional teeth whitening:

This method is different from the previous one. In this method, your involvement is to be added. Usually, this method is suggested to people who have stubborn stains on their teeth. You will be advised of an extended treatment after the initial procedure. These all together help to completely fade the color. This can be continued at your home.

3. Over-the-counter teeth whitening agents:

These include whitening trays, gels, and strips. These are easily accessible to the user but are not as effective as the above-mentioned two. In this procedure, the whitening takes some time to visible. There may be risks of hurting gums and potential damage to teeth enamel.

• Adhere to the rules of hygiene while brushing your teeth.

• Keep a clean diet.

• Keep away unhealthy habits.

In the first few days of treatment, the teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold. Even if you used mild whitening solutions, the enamel on your teeth gets hurt and hence gives pain sensations of hot and cold. Here are a few instructions to keep your whitening treatment for a long time.

1. Adhere to the rules of hygiene while brushing your teeth.

Use soft and medium-hard brushes to clean your teeth. For the first few days use mild toothpaste, and dental floss having high-quality cleaning agents.

2. Keep a clean diet.

The food you take plays a key role in both protecting your enamel and retaining the whitening procedure. Choose the foods having Fluoride and Calcium as prime constraints. These have pretty beneficial properties for your enamel strengthening. Few such foods are dairy products, eggs, fish, etc.

3. Keep away your unhealthy habits.

The food you intake is the key to retaining the teeth whitening procedures. So, it will not give you 100% results if you don’t stop eating or drinking the foods and drinks that contribute to tooth discoloration. The first thing you need to do is Quit Smoking, Alcohol consumption. These have the worst effect on weakening the enamel.

Now, let us understand what we can do to avoid after-treatment effects and retain the results longer.

Avoid these dark staining substances:

• Red wine, Cola, Coffee, and tea

• Berries such as cherries, blueberries, strawberries, dark grapes

• Tobacco products

• Red sauces, mustard or ketchup, soy sauce, salsa, and other red sauces

• If it will stain your clothes, it will eventually stain your teeth

• Colored lipstick

• Colored mouthwash including PreviDent Fluoride Rinse

The first 48 hours after the tooth whitening procedures are very crucial in enhancing and maximizing the whitening treatment results. Before we explore the post-operative care tips, let us first disclose some of the common side effects or discomforts after the treatment.

1. Spotting 

Color spotting may occur after the teeth whitening procedure due to the temporary dehydration of the teeth. This will diminish within 24 to 48 hours of the procedure.

2. Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is common in the first 24 hours of the treatment. This can be considered normal until the sensitivity is mild. If the sensitivity is high you may take the over-the-counter pain killers suggested by your dentist. To overcome this we recommend you to use fluoride sensitivity relief toothpaste for a few weeks following the treatment.

1. Avoid colored foods and beverages

Teeth are the most vulnerable to stains and discoloration. So for the first few days avoiding colored foods help in successful treatments.

Some of them are 

• Red wine

• Coffee and Tea

• Beers

• Fruit Juices

• Sodas

• Dark-colored sauces

• Red meat

• Colorful vegetables like Tomatoes, carrots, beetroot, etc.

• Naturally or Artificially colored candies.

2. Avoid Acidic Foods

After the tooth whitening procedure, the top layers of enamel in your teeth get wiped off and it takes some time to rebuild. In this process, the sensitivity increases by opening the pores and tubules of enamel. Strong acidic food deteriorates enamel making it more sensitive.

Some of them are 

• Citrus and other acidic fruits like lemons, oranges, Kiwis, etc.

• Dark chocolates

• Pickles

3. Hot and Cold foods are to be avoided

As the sensitivity increases after whitening the teeth, you need to avoid foods and beverages that are overly hot and cold.

4. Don’t be harsh on your teeth

You may be sometimes harsh on your teeth unknowingly. Avoid this after your whitening treatment as the protecting layer is weak now. Gently brush your teeth and do it lightly avoiding pain and whitening stripping.

Here is the list of foods that can be happily taken after the teeth whitening treatment –

• Plain yogurt

• White rice

• Uncolored pasta

• White fish (cod, tilapia, haddock, etc.)

• Chicken

• Tofu

• Oatmeal

• Cereal without any artificial coloring or dyes

• Egg whites

• Potatoes

• Almonds

• Cashews

• Cauliflower

• Chickpeas

• Cheese without any artificial coloring or dyes

• Pears

• Bananas

• Vanilla ice cream

• White chocolate

• Rice Krispie treats

Beverages You Can Drink

• Still or sparkling water (unflavored)

• Milk

• Coconut water

• Coconut milk

• White wine

• Clear alcohol with clear mixers (gin and tonic, vodka and club soda, etc.)

Dental staining is common for some people. Correcting it in the early stages shows quicker and complete whitening. To know more about tooth whitening procedures, book your appointment with our clinic. You will find the solution to all of your queries that you are looking since a long.