Do you want to look and feel better, without breaking the bank?
Visiting your dental clinic in Prince Albert for professional teeth whitening is a simple and effective way to improve your smile and confidence. When it comes to teeth whitening aftercare, it only requires simple efforts to maintain your results for as long as possible. Below are 4 teeth whitening tips you should be sure to use.
Avoid Coloured Foods and Beverages
After a teeth whitening procedure, the first 48 hours or two days are paramount. Your teeth are the most prone to stains and discolouration at this time. If you want the best value out of your time and money, you’ll need to avoid consuming deep-coloured foods and beverages, examples include:
• Coffee
• Tea
• Cranberry juice
• Chocolate
• Dark sauces
Also, if you smoke or use any tobacco products, you should consider holding back for two days.
Avoid Acidic Foods
You’ll also want to avoid eating acidic foods, such as:
• Pop
• Lemons
• Limes
• Pickles
• Vinegar
When you whiten your teeth at your Prairie Pines dental clinic, it weakens the tubules, or pores of tooth enamel and opens them up. Weakened enamel, causes your teeth to become more susceptible to stains and tooth decay. When you consume foods or beverages with a high acid content, it weakens the enamel further.
Avoid Hot and Cold Foods
After whitening your teeth, they will become more sensitive. Don’t worry this is temporary, but you’ll need to avoid consuming foods and beverages that are too hot or too cold. It’s advisable to use toothpaste specially designed for sensitive teeth, as this can minimize potential discomfort.
What Foods Can I Eat?
Now that we’ve listed off all the types of foods and drinks you should avoid having post-whitening, let’s discuss some suitable options. The following foods can help to preserve teeth whitening:
• Apples
• Carrots
• Celery
• Green beans
• Broccoli
• Cucumber
Crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as those listed above increase saliva production to clean the teeth and counteract the acid. They are often referred to as “nature toothbrushes”. With that said, you’ll still need to brush and rinse your teeth after eating or drinking. If you aren’t close to a bathroom where you can brush your teeth, opt for sugar-free gum to keep your teeth decay-free and prevent stains from appearing.
Do’s and Don’ts
It’s important that you follow the tips above when it comes to making wise food choices in the kitchen. You’ll also want to refer to some more everyday do’s and don’ts below once you’ve visited a dental clinic near you for teeth whitening.
Do’s:
• Try drinking from a straw whenever you can. This is a simple way to minimize the contact between your teeth and the drink that you are consuming, in turn reducing staining.
• Sensitivity or pain can occur after your teeth whitening procedure as mentioned above. In addition to using toothpaste specifically for sensitive teeth, you can bank on over-the-counter pain relievers for relief.
• Choose smudge-proof lipstick or lip gloss. For all the ladies out there, you’ll need to be careful with any makeup products used for the lips. If lipstick or lip gloss gets on your teeth, it can leave a permanent stain on the enamel.
• We discussed brushing and rinsing, but we haven’t made mention of flossing. Regular flossing should also be a key component of your oral hygiene routine and can help retain the whiteness of your teeth.
Don’ts:
• If you’ve visited your dentist in Prince Albert for professional teeth whitening, don’t start using an at-home whitening kit straight away. You’ll want to wait at least a month or two to avoid weakening your teeth from over-whitening. Remember life is all about balance!
The Role of Your Dentist in Prince Albert
You should always visit your dentist every six months, regardless of whether you have whitened your teeth or not. They can identify cavities, gum problems, and other oral issues to keep your teeth in optimal condition. Plus, they can help you maintain your whitening results for longer with a custom tray for at-home bleaching, so keep in touch!