Post-Whitening Care Tips to Maintain Your White Smile

Achieving that dazzling, brilliant white smile through teeth whitening treatments is a great confidence and appearance booster. But you also require rigorous post-whitening care to maintain your brilliant smile as well as your teeth’s health. With the right steps, you can extend the effect of your whitening treatment and enjoy a beautiful smile for days.

Why Post-Whitening Care Matters

Whitening helps you get rid of stains and discoloration, but it doesn’t make your teeth less prone to new stains. Whitening opens up your enamel pores, so your teeth are more likely to pick up pigments from food and beverages right after your treatment. If you do not care for them well, the effects of your whitening treatment will not be as long-lasting as you might desire.

Let’s get started with some important post-whitening tips that will keep your white smile for as long as you can.

1. Steer Clear of Staining Foods and Drinks

After your whitening treatment, it’s a good idea to steer clear of food and liquids that stain teeth. Coffee, tea, red wine, and dark sauces fall under this list. For the first 48 hours, it’s especially critical to skip these foods. If you simply can’t help but have a cup of coffee, attempt to use a straw to limit contact with your teeth.

Other foods that are infamous offenders include:

• Berries (blueberries, blackberries)
• Soy sauce
• Tomato-based foods
• Beets

While you don’t need to totally avoid these foods in the long run, it’s recommended to limit them for the initial few days after your whitening procedure for the best results.

2. Good Oral Hygiene

Brushing and flossing are important to keeping your teeth as white and healthy as they can be. You must still brush your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily to remove any food between your teeth. This will stop the plaque from building up, which after long periods of time can cause staining.

Think of using a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth after whitening because your enamel could be more sensitive in the days following the treatment.

3. Try a Whitening Mouthwash

A mouthwash that whitens teeth is also a wonderful addition to your after-whitening dental routine. Look for an alcohol-free mouthwash to prevent dry mouth. This will maintain the whiteness of your smile by not allowing plaque to form and keeping your breath smelling fresh without irritation.

4. Drink Lots of Water

Drinking 12 to 16 cups of water daily is not only important for your overall health, but for your teeth as well. Staying hydrated helps to flush food particles and stains out of your mouth, especially after eating or drinking something that can stain teeth. 

5. Quit Smoking or Tobacco Products

Tobacco is notorious for staining your teeth. If you’ve recently undergone teeth whitening, it’s a good time to quit these habits, as tobacco will quickly undo the effects of the treatment. Even nicotine-free products can cause discoloration over time, so it’s wise to avoid them as much as possible.

6. Maintain Regular Dental Checkups

Routine dental checkups are necessary to maintaining your bright smile. Following whitening, schedule a checkup so your gums and teeth remain healthy. 

7. Touch-Up Treatments

With time, the effects of teeth whitening will gradually wear off, but touch-up procedures can keep your smile bright for a long period. Discuss with your dentist when to book a touch-up procedure or inquire about in-home whitening treatments to prolong your effects.

Now that you’ve completed your teeth whitening treatment, remember that the result depends on how well you take care of your teeth afterwards. Don’t let it go to waste – maintain your white smile by monitoring your oral hygiene and avoiding foods and bad habits that can stain your teeth.

Make an appointment for your next visit to Lakeway Dental Associates today and we will help you have that beautiful smile for years to come!