Mouthwash helps prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease besides cavities if used correctly when maintaining everyday dental hygiene practices. However, most mouthwash brands containing a high volume of alcohol can damage your teeth if you try using them after whitening your teeth.
You will also want to avoid colored dental products like toothpaste and mouthwash after the whitening treatment. Avoid colors like red, orange, and purple that can re-stain your teeth. Teeth-whitening procedures can sometimes make your teeth a little sensitive, but it will eventually fade away.
Avoid Staining Foods and Drinks
To avoid staining your teeth after getting them whitened, it is important to avoid foods and drinks that are likely to cause staining. These include coffee, tea, red wine, and dark-colored fruits and vegetables.
Rinse With Water Immediately After Eating Or Drinking
One of the most important things you can do after a teeth whitening session is to rinse your mouth with water immediately after eating or drinking. This helps to remove any leftover particles from your food or drink that could stain your newly whitened teeth.
Wipe away any gel that spills from the trays and comes into contact with your gums. Be careful not to swallow any gel. Gently remove any residue that might be left on your teeth or gums with a cloth, a clean finger or a soft toothbrush. Rinse your mouth thoroughly after treatment.
Well, you should know that after undergoing a teeth whitening procedure, you should generally wait at least half an hour (30 minutes), or as long as your dentist recommends before brushing your teeth. This waiting period allows the teeth to stabilize after exposure to the whitening agent.
No adverse effects will result from ingesting the peroxide gel. It will simply pass through your system without causing any damage. However, swallowing large amounts of peroxide can cause nausea and stomach irritation.
Crest 3D White Multi-Care Whitening Rinse contains the same ingredients as the best-selling teeth-whitening strips and works well in tandem with them to maintain pearly whites between uses. Dr. Katz recommends this as a go-to whitening mouthwash because it prevents future stains and is alcohol-free.
Teeth sensitivity after whitening is not uncommon, and it usually occurs when the bleaching agents used in the whitening process penetrate the enamel and reach the tooth's nerve centre, known as the pulp.
Dental whitening gel can be refrigerated for longer shelf life. Shelf life is 1 year un-refrigerated and 2 years refrigerated. These are general recommendations and may vary between manufacturers.
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.
Teeth are thought to become more sensitive after whitening because the whitener weakens the teeth slightly, exposing “dentinal microtubules” that connect the outside of the tooth to the nerves inside.
Using a mouthwash that contains fluoride can help prevent tooth decay, but don't use mouthwash (even a fluoride one) straight after brushing your teeth or it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the toothpaste left on your teeth. Choose a different time to use mouthwash, such as after lunch.
How long does it take for teeth to rehydrate after whitening? Teeth typically rehydrate within 24 to 48 hours after whitening, though some individuals may take longer depending on their oral health and hydration levels.
First of all, don't worry! The white, patchy, streaky, or lined look of teeth after whitening is normal – it's called enamel demineralization.
“Generally speaking, whitening kits are not harmful to your teeth,” explains Dr. Greg Scheier, DDS of Scheier Dental Group. “There are, however, potential temporary sensitivities, both in the teeth and gums, that may result from the use of both over-the-counter and dentist-administered whitening kits.”
It should be safe to resume your regular diet 48 hours after teeth whitening. Limiting your diet may seem like a daunting task. But this temporary sacrifice can help you achieve a brighter and whiter smile.
Mouthwash helps prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease besides cavities if used correctly when maintaining everyday dental hygiene practices. However, most mouthwash brands containing a high volume of alcohol can damage your teeth if you try using them after whitening your teeth.
The Mayo Clinic recommends using mouthwash after brushing and flossing your teeth. However, the National Health Service (NHS) recommends avoiding mouthwash right after brushing, since this may wash away the fluoride from your toothpaste.
Although flossing might not directly whiten teeth, its benefits extend beyond mere aesthetics. Regular flossing helps to prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath by removing plaque and debris from areas that toothbrushes can't reach.
The increased acidity that occurs during NON-refrigerated shipping and storage results in increased “stabilization” of the whitening gel, which means when placed in the mouth, the gel will not break down as thoroughly in the mouth when we want it to.
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.
While they are extremely popular, many people still question whether or not they actually are effective at whitening teeth. The short answer is yes, they do in fact whiten your teeth over time, but whitening strips are not the best way to whiten your teeth!