So you’ve just undergone a whitening procedure, and since you made an investment in making sure your smile is sparkling again, it’s important to follow all the necessary steps to keep them sparkling. Here are some tips for maintaining your freshly brightened smile:
- First and foremost, for a minimum of 48 hours after leaving the dentist’s office, avoid coffee, tea, dark sodas, red wine, etc. A good rule of thumb is that a food or drink will ruin a white shirt, it’ll ruin your newly white teeth.
- After that initial 48 hours, if you continue to drink coffee, tea or soda, drink it with a straw (and there are straws available that are appropriate for hot beverages). That way, the caffeine and other staining substances will bypass your teeth.
- Also, after the initial 48 hour period, rinse with water after drinking coffee, tea, cola or red wine. Take your toothbrush and toothpaste with you to work or school to brush after meals.
- Brushing and flossing daily will keep your mouth clean and stain-free. Brush after breakfast, at the office after lunch and before going to bed.
- lf possible, avoid using lipstick as certain types of lipstick can stain your teeth and cause discoloration.
- Refrain from smoking. As if you needed another reason to quit, smoking is a major cause of discoloration and continuing the habit quickly stains your whitened teeth.
Also, during the first 48 hours, sticking to non-staining foods is crucial. Here’s a list of suggestions for meals and snacks right after a whitening session:
Entrées:
Turkey, white tuna (no vinegar), white fish, skinless chicken breast, grilled cheese with white cheddar or mozzarella cheese, pasta with white sauce
Sides:
Plain pasta, white rice, (peeled) mashed or baked potato
Drinks:
Milk, water, clear soda (sprite) or sparkling water..
Adult Drinks:
White wine, Gin or Vodka (leave out the oj).
Snacks:
Cottage cheese, plain or vanilla yogurt, snack wells vanilla cookies, vanilla pudding, white cheese, white cheddar or mozzarella, Apples, bananas, pears (no peels) and cauliflower.
Breakfast:
Pancakes with white syrup, egg whites, oatmeal, cream of wheat.
The best way to maintain your smile both before and after a whitening session is to brush and floss regularly and see your dentist twice a year. If you’re due for a checkup, make an appointment today!