Mouth and teeth before and after whitening
If you are getting teeth whitening in Towne Lake, you want to make the amazing results last for as long as possible. But how? If you understand how your teeth lost their whiteness in the first place and how the whitening process works, you can then learn about what you should and shouldn’t do to help you retain your smile’s bright new shade. By taking a proactive role in your after-whitening care, you can enjoy the results for a long time.
How Teeth Become Yellow or Dull
Over the natural course of time, teeth’s white enamel can begin to wear down, revealing the yellow layer of dentin beneath it. Although some dulling is natural, exposure to darkly pigmented foods and drinks certainly can make matters worse. If you notice that your smile appears yellow or dull, you can do something about it. Sure, you could try commercial whitening solutions, but they fail to deliver the dramatic results they promise. Luckily you have another, better option: professional whitening.
How Teeth Are Professionally Whitened
Using high concentrations of hydrogen or carbamide peroxide, your cosmetic dentist in Towne Lake can brighten your smile by up to eight shades! They may offer in-office treatment or take-home whitening kits. While the in-office treatment provides immediate results, the take-home kits whiten your teeth over a period of two weeks and can be done at your convenience. Whether you opt for the take-home kits or in-office treatment, the effects of the whitening will be particularly important to maintain for the first 24 hours afterward and in the weeks following to increase the longevity of your teeth’s whiteness.
Staining Food and Drinks
On top of abstaining from tobacco use, there are many foods and drinks that you should avoid after whitening treatment to ensure that the brilliant results last longer. Examples of these foods and drinks include the following:
- Coffee or tea.
- Red wine.
- Fruit juice.
- Colored soda or alcoholic beverages.
- Red meat.
- Soy sauce.
- Chocolate.
- All fruit except bananas.
Basically, if the food or drink could stain a white shirt, avoid it for at least 24 hours. You should also refrain from using colored toothpaste and mouthwash for 24 hours after treatment.
Non-Staining Food and Drinks
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are foods that won’t stain your newly brightened smile, including the following:
- Water.
- Cauliflower.
- Milk.
- Plain chicken.
- White potatoes.
- Plain pasta with white sauces.
- Rice.
In the end, you want the brightness you achieve in whitening treatment to last as long as possible. So, you need to try to set yourself up for success, especially in the 24 hours following treatment. Avoid staining foods and drinks, focusing instead on what you can consume. That way, you can love your brilliant smile for a long time to come. For more after-care information, contact your cosmetic dentist in Towne Lake.
About the Practice
At Dream Dental, Dr. Haren Patel and his staff offer both in-office and take-home whitening treatments to accommodate each patient’s individual needs. With 15 years of dental experience, he is an expert in cosmetic dentistry and helping his patients smile brighter. He also offer comprehensive care in preventive and restorative dentistry. To schedule an appointment, you can call (770) 592-7000 or click here.