5 Teeth Whitening Aftercare Tips

Teeth whitening is a common procedure for dental clinic patients. Loss of snow- white color on the teeth is a natural process that occurs due to age, excessive consumption of drinks and products with coloring pigment, and smoking. Common reasons include the treatment of diseases of the oral cavity and internal organs. Among the whitening methods used today, there are professional and non-professional products. Professional whitening techniques are performed only under the supervision of a physician.

How Is the Whitening Procedure

Before choosing a suitable method of teeth whitening, you need to visit a specialist. First of all, it’s important to understand what caused the discoloration of the enamel. The doctor also examines the gums, checks the general condition of the teeth, and if necessary, an X-ray is taken. The doctor then determines which type of whitening is best for the teeth. There are several techniques:

• Zoom teeth whitening. This procedure is performed using a special gel containing hydrogen peroxide. Then, under the influence of ultraviolet light, the teeth are lightened. The whitening gel contains calcium phosphate, which helps to strengthen the tooth enamel.
• Laser whitening. The gel applied to the teeth is activated by a laser beam. Unlike other methods, the laser allows you to deeply affect the tissue.
• Chemical bleaching. The doctor uses a gel-based on a 40% hydrogen peroxide solution, due to which it’s possible to quickly and effectively whiten teeth. This type of lighting is used only for healthy teeth without chips, cracks, dentures and fillings. During the procedure, substances that injure the enamel are used, therefore this method is rarely used.

Like many other dental procedures, whitening is preceded by professional hygienic cleaning of the oral cavity. In addition, dentists recommend undergoing a course of tooth remineralization to strengthen the enamel and reduce sensitivity. Despite the positive effect of teeth whitening, there are several contraindications for the procedure. These include the presence of caries and gum disease, anterior dentures, a large number of fillings, and the presence of oncology. In addition, the whitening procedure is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation.

Features of Dental Care After Whitening

In the first days after the procedure, the teeth become sensitive to temperature and painful sensations may occur. This is because even when whitening with gentle instruments and technologies, the enamel of the teeth suffers and requires restoration. There are several teeth whitening aftercare instructions to keep your white smile for a long time.

1. Adhere to the rules of hygiene and brushing your teeth.

During zoom whitening aftercare, it’s recommended to use soft or medium-hard brushes. For the first few weeks after the procedure, you should use toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Additionally, it’s worth using dental floss, rinse or irrigator for high-quality cleaning of enamel and interdental spaces. Also, the NY dentist can advise on special whitening preparations to maintain a good effect.

2. Keep a "clear" diet.

To restore and eliminate sensitivity, food should contain more fluoride and calcium, which have a beneficial effect on enamel strengthening. For example, dairy products, eggs, fish of various types, cauliflower, pears. After whitening, teeth are sensitive to staining, therefore, foods of a neutral color should be present in the diet. The first couple of days of teeth whitening aftercare needs to keep a special diet and give up all coloring products. Banned chocolate, bright vegetables and fruits, citrus fruits, tea and coffee, sauces, etc.

3. Monitor nutrition.

Due to the increased sensitivity of the teeth, it’s recommended not to eat solid foods, as well as foods with high and low temperatures. For example, hot tea or ice cream will cause unpleasant and even painful sensations during the recovery period after bleaching. Carefully bite off solid foods that can damage the enamel.

4. Rejection of bad habits.

The teeth whitening procedure will not give 100% positive results if the patient does not quit smoking. This bad habit, like drinking alcohol, leads to the darkening of the enamel, especially weakened after the procedure. Alcohol washes out calcium and vitamins, which leads to the development of periodontal disease. Almost all drinks stain the enamel of the teeth, the only exception may be white wine in small quantities.

Professional Teeth Whitening Aftercare

The dentist should be visited every six months for a routine examination and professional cleaning. During the visits, the doctor monitors the whitening result, changes in the color of the tooth enamel, and conducts procedures to strengthen it. If the patient wants to lighten the enamel more, then when visiting the dental office, such a procedure can be performed.

Zoom teeth whitening aftercare requires patients to take special and careful dental care at first so that the effect can take hold and last as long as possible. For this procedure to be effective for a long time, you must follow all the doctor's recommendations. Thanks to simple tips, your smile will delight you with whiteness for as long as possible.