How to keep your teeth whiter for longer
Your dream of a whiter smile is finally a reality! And for this you have put in a lot of effort: spent personal time, and significant money, treated tooth decay, put fillings, polished and strengthened enamel, spent more than one hour in the dentist’s chair – and here you are the happy owner of dazzling white and healthy teeth.
However, in order to keep your teeth whitening for as long as possible and to avoid wasting your money, it pays to try a little harder. In this article, we’ll give you the doctor’s tips for caring for your whitened teeth and tell you what you can and can’t do after the whitening process.
What you need to know to keep your teeth white
As we know, only 5% of people on the planet can boast of a white shade of enamel. In all cases, you have to make do with what nature gave you or fight for the beauty and whiteness of your teeth by artificial means. What method of whitening you choose is not so important: after laser whitening, ZOOM whitening, or BEYOND system the main thing is still to follow the recommendations for taking care of your teeth.
White Diet
One effective way to keep your teeth whiter is to follow a white diet. A white (colorless) diet should be followed for the first two weeks after the whitening procedure.
A white diet after teeth whitening is a diet regimen that consists of eating foods without dyes. These foods include:
- Potatoes
- Chicken meat
- White saltwater fish
- Rice
- Porcini mushrooms
- Wheat flour bread
- Dairy and fermented foods
- Green apples, pears
- Tofu cheese
- Walnuts
Peculiarities of the white diet
If you do not want your teeth to turn yellow after whitening, it is recommended that you completely avoid the following colorful foods for 2-3 days:
- Tea, coffee
- Chocolate, cocoa
- Red wine, juices, morsels
- Fruits, berries
- Vegetables (tomatoes, carrots, beets)
- Lemonade with dyes
- Ketchup, sauces, adjika, mustard
Tea and coffee with milk can be gradually introduced into the diet after a couple of days, limiting yourself to one glass a day, while drinking them preferably through a straw – so the staining effect on the enamel will be less. The rest of the products can be introduced into the diet gradually in 2-3 weeks after the procedure. It is also wise to refuse to eat acidic products for a while, so as not to cause painful sensitivity of enamel, which is already heightened after teeth whitening.
If you happen to eat any of the foods on the banned list, brush your teeth as soon as possible after eating, or rinse your mouth with a rinse to remove pigmentation from your enamel.
Pros and cons of the white diet
Any diet, including the white diet, has its positives and negatives
Pros
- Keeps teeth white
- Strengthens enamel with protein- and calcium-rich foods
- Supports weight loss.
- Reduces the use of products with dyes
Cons
- Not suitable for weak-minded people
- Consists of a limited list of foods you are allowed to eat.
In any case, following a whitening diet after whitening is designed not only to extend the whiteness of your teeth but also to have an overall positive effect on the health and beauty of your smile.
Information for smokers
Avid smokers are out of luck: Even after laser teeth whitening their teeth will soon turn yellow again if they do not follow the doctor’s strict recommendations. In the first 48 hours after the whitening procedure, you should stop smoking completely, and for the next two weeks, you should limit yourself to smoking a minimum number of cigarettes or using an electronic cigarette.
Oral hygiene after teeth whitening
Proper dental care after whitening is essential for a white, beautiful smile for a long time to come. At home, oral hygiene should be performed at least twice a day, using the toothpaste, brush, and floss recommended by your dentist. After each meal, you should rinse your mouth with drinking water or mouthwash. You should not forget about regular professional tooth brushing that will help you get rid of plaque and tartar in those hard-to-reach places in time, extend the aesthetic effect of whitening, strengthen the enamel and reduce the risk of developing cavities.
Still, have questions? Ask us.
Keeping your teeth white after bleaching is not that difficult. The main thing is to regularly visit the dentist, follow the rules of hygiene, monitor your diet and if possible give up bad habits. If you still have questions, you can make an appointment with a dentist right now!
