First 24 Hours: For the initial hours after whitening, avoid brushing to give your teeth time to settle. After this initial wait, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste for gentle brushing.
Typically, dentists recommend not brushing your teeth for the first 24 hours after the whitening procedure. There are several points to remember: Brushing your teeth too soon after whitening can damage sensitive teeth enamel.
After getting your teeth whitened, it's important to drink lots of water. This will help to flush out any residual bleach and prevent dehydration. It's also a good idea to avoid coffee, tea, and red wine for the first 24 hours after treatment. These beverages can stain your teeth and offset your results.
Damaged Enamel
If your teeth continue to turn yellow despite having them whitened, enamel degradation could be the culprit.
Yellow teeth can regain whiteness through various methods, including good oral hygiene, professional dental cleanings, and teeth-whitening treatments. Stains from coffee, tea, or tobacco can be removed with adequate oral care, while professional procedures like bleaching or laser treatments offer quicker results.
Saliva is the Best Hydration
Since your teeth are slightly dehydrated after whitening, you may be inclined to drink lots of water. While drinking plenty of water is always a good idea, it won't necessarily rehydrate your teeth. The best way to rehydrate your teeth is by ensuring your mouth stays moist.
Most People Can Whiten Their Teeth Once a Year
Dentists monitor the risks and only recommend whitening to eligible candidates. Most people can get a full bleaching system every 12-18 months with touch-ups throughout the year.
Whether you choose to use whitening strips in the morning or at night depends on your personal preference and lifestyle. There is no strict rule regarding the time of day you should use them.
Rinsing your mouth after using whitening strips can help remove excess whitening gel. However, avoiding immediate use of mouthwash containing certain ingredients that may affect the whitening process is advisable. Brushing remains the recommended practice for comprehensive cleaning.
The pores slowly close over the next two to three days, but during that time, your teeth are more susceptible to staining from foods and drinks. For at least the first 48 hours, it's best to avoid darkly colored foods and drinks, including berries, coffee, tea, red wine, and tomato sauce.
Refrigerate Your Gels Immediately
If your gels have been left outside the fridge for less than a week, don't worry. Simply ensure you refrigerate them as soon as possible.
Avoid Drinking Beverages with Strong Pigments. The first 3 to 5 days after teeth whitening treatment are crucial, and your teeth will discolor quicker than usual. To prolong your teeth whitening treatment, it is best to avoid drinking anything during this time that can cause staining on your newly whitened teeth.
Tooth Brushing: Before or After Breakfast
By brushing before breakfast, you don't allow the bacteria from breakfast add to the plaque already formed. Brushing your teeth before breakfast also lowers the risk that the enamel will be damaged.
While it may be tempting to brush immediately after using strips, it's best to wait for your enamel to recover before brushing gently with a sensitive toothpaste. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy a radiant smile without compromising your dental health.
Wearing for 6 hours or more at night will typically yield better results. We have a 10% carbamide peroxide gel, or a 16% carbamide peroxide gel – both designed to be worn overnight. These are the equivalent of 3.5% hydrogen peroxide and 5.7% hydrogen peroxide, respectively.
You might be tempted to leave whitening strips on your teeth for a little longer, but this will increase the risk and severity of side effects like sensitivity and gum irritation. In some cases, overuse of whitening strips has even led to chemical burns on the gums.
Is teeth whitening permanent? Teeth whitening isn't permanent. It can last from a few months to up to 3 years – it varies from person to person. The whitening effect won't last as long if you smoke or drink red wine, tea or coffee, which can all stain your teeth.
Options may include: In-office bleaching. The dentist will use a whitening product on your teeth. It usually needs one visit.
Many people accidentally drink coffee out of habit right after their teeth whitening, and if you did as well — that is okay. Coffee may not have noticeable effects if you have it once or twice, and it might not interfere with the overall results.
By gently coating your teeth with a product like MI Paste or Colgate's Pro-Argin Toothpaste, you will plug up open pores on your teeth and reduce sensitivity. Additionally, the remineralizing effects of these pastes help to improve whitening.
The fastest and best way to whiten teeth at home is by using professional whitening gel trays. These custom trays offer the best results at a lower cost than professional treatments, with minimal risk of sensitivity or gum damage. They provide long-lasting and sustainable whitening effects when used correctly.