TEETH WHITENING AFTERCARE

Going through the procedure has cost you money, so you will want to make sure the stunning result will last a long time. The first 48 hours after the treatment are critical. So you need to be more aware of your food intake as there are certain types of food that discolor your teeth. You NEED to avoid them during this time.

These include, but are not limited to the following:

• Tea & coffee. These brews can stain your teeth instantly. 
• Dark-colored sauces. Avoid red pasta sauce, soy sauce, barbecue sauce.
• Fruit juice.
• Dark chocolate. This contains caffeine and thus could stain your teeth.
• Acidic food. Lemons, oranges, and other citrus fruits should be avoided. These are acidic or sour foods can weaken your enamel. 

As a general rule of thumb, don’t take any food or drink that will stain a white shirt for 48 hours after teeth whitening.

If you must insist on drinking coffee, soda, or other dark-colored drinks, just use a straw instead of sipping directly from your mug or cup. By using a straw, the liquid will not come in contact with your teeth. 

So, what’s safe to eat after this orthodontic treatment?

• White-colored vegetables.
• White meat.
• Colorless beverages.
• Non-acidic fruits.

For the best results, try to do the following tasks as often as you can:

• Brush your teeth at least twice everyday.
• Floss at least once a day to help remove any plaque that builds up over time.
• Rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash at least once everyday. This too will help kill the types of bacteria that causes plaque build-up.
• Considering using a whitening toothpaste at least once or twice a week. This will act as a type of basic touch-up, allowing you to remove any surface stains that have built up over time, and it will also go a long way towards preventing discoloration.
• For the rest of the times that you brush your teeth, use regular toothpaste.

Consider touch up treatments! Depending on the type of teeth whitening treatments that you’ve used, along with general diet and lifestyle, the results you see aren’t going to last forever. You may need to consider touch-up treatments every six months or so for possibly as long as two years — even in the case of professional treatment. Sometimes touch-ups may be necessary. What you eat or drink are going to chip away those results. A touch-up will restore that natural shine to your smile.