How can I help my freshly whitened teeth stay bright and sparkling?
The teeth are particularly susceptible to staining after a whitening treatment. How you take care for your teeth 48 hour after whitening can have an impact on whether or not you have lasting results.
Whitening products use chemical agents to get into the tooth enamel and break down stains. The chemical agents generally used to whiten teeth are either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. When used as a teeth whitening products, carbamide peroxide breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea. Hydrogen peroxide is the active whitening ingredient. When teeth have had contact with these agents, they become porous.
This is a temporary state and for 24 hours after a whitening session, the bleaching agents continue to penetrate the enamel and continue to whiten. During this time, teeth are also quite susceptible to staining so it is advised to avoid consuming any food, beverage or mouthwashes that contain dyes or are dark in colour.
The following are some examples of foods and beverages that should be avoided:
- Tomato-based products
- Dark marinades
- Mustard
- Hot sauce
- Soy sauce
- Berries
- Beets
- Dark soups
- Chocolate
- Curry
- Dark meats
- Fruit juices
- Tea
- Pop
- Coffee
- Red wine
- Food that contains dye such as popsicles and candy
A good rule to follow is to avoid consuming foods or beverages that can stain a white shirt.
If you do consume something that will cause stains, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth out with water as soon as possible. If you cannot go without coffee, an option for drinking it would be with a straw. This will keep the beverage away from your newly whitened teeth. Be cautious of consuming the beverage if it is hot.
It is also advised to avoid foods and beverages that are acidic. Teeth whitening can leave teeth with temporary sensitivity to acidic foods and drinks causing some pain and discomfort. Limit consumption of acidic foods and beverages such as: citrus fruits, vinegar, pickled foods, tea, coffee, energy drinks, pop and sour candies.
Teeth whitening results are individualized and the lasting effects will vary from person to person depending on factors such as age, genetics and personal habits. To extend the effects of teeth whitening, it is a good idea to avoid foods and beverages that can stain teeth, maintain a good oral hygiene routine and visit your North Burnaby Dentist for regular dental cleanings and checkups. If you are considering having your teeth whitened, keep in mind that the best whitening results can be achieved if you do your whitening routine after a professional cleaning!