Tooth Whitening Home Care Instructions
How To Ensure A Long Lasting, Bright And Healthy Smile.
In-office teeth whitening is a fast, conservative, and effective way to enhance your smile’s appearance. Unlike veneers or composite bonding, which require more extensive procedures, professional teeth whitening can lift stains and brighten your teeth within a single visit. To ensure the best results and a comfortable experience, it’s essential to follow a few key preparation steps after your appointment.
Essential Post-Treatment Care for Teeth Whitening
To maximize your whitening results and prevent re-staining, follow these tips:
- Avoid Dark-Colored Foods & Beverages: For the first 48 hours post-treatment, avoid staining agents like coffee, red wine, berries, cola, tea, soy sauce, ketchup, and tobacco products.
- Skip Colored Mouthwashes & Fluoride Treatments: Avoid using mouthwashes with dyes or fluoride treatments. If you use a chlorhexidine mouthwash, wait 48 hours before resuming use.
- Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Continue your regular dental care routine, including brushing, flossing, and tongue cleaning. These habits remove surface stains and help maintain a whiter smile.
Managing Tooth Sensitivity After Whitening
Tooth sensitivity, or “zingers,” can occur after whitening. Here’s how to manage any discomfort:
- Use Desensitizing Toothpaste: Apply desensitizing toothpaste, like Sensodyne Rapid Relief, directly to sensitive areas for fast relief.
- Consider Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help manage sensitivity. Consult your dentist for the correct dosage.
- Avoid Extreme Temperatures: For a few days, steer clear of very hot or cold foods and drinks.
Optimize Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Proper oral hygiene can maximize and extend the results of your whitening treatment. Here are some best practices to adopt:
- Brush After Each Meal: Ideally, brush your teeth after every meal to reduce plaque buildup. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, such as the Curaprox CS5460 Ultra Soft or a high-quality electric toothbrush like the Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 6100.
- Floss Daily: Daily flossing helps remove plaque from between teeth. Options like GUM ButlerWeave Dental Floss or Sunstar 888JC GUM Advanced Care Flossers are excellent for ensuring a thorough clean.
- Use a Water Flosser: Adding a Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser to your routine can reach areas traditional floss may miss, flushing out food debris and bacteria.
- Choose a Whitening Toothpaste: Consider using a whitening toothpaste, like Colgate Optic White Renewal, to help maintain your bright smile.
- Antibacterial Mouthwash: Rinse with a whitening mouthwash like Crest 3D White Glamorous White Mouthwash daily to keep your gums healthy and prolong whitening results.
Regular Check-Ups and Take-Home Whitening Options
Professional check-ups are essential for oral health and whitening upkeep. Schedule regular dental visits to monitor your teeth and gums and for occasional touch-ups. Atlas Dental offers take-home whitening trays for easy at-home maintenance—ask us for details.
Have Questions?
If you have additional questions or concerns about your completed teeth whitening treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you keep your smile radiant!
