If you want a whiter smile and haven’t had success with at-home options, or are considering getting your teeth professionally whitened, it’s important to know how to care for your teeth afterward to get the most out of your treatments.

Most in-office whitening treatments use a bleaching agent such as hydrogen peroxide that penetrates the enamel to break apart deep stains and discoloration. This temporarily makes your enamel more porous. This is why how you care for your teeth in the hours and days following treatment is so important. 

Why the First 48 Hours Are The Most Critical

Knowing what to do and what not to do after teeth whitening treatments is the best way to protect your newly whitened smile. Some best practices in the first 48-hours after your treatment are: 

  • Stick to a “white diet” and avoid dark-colored foods and drinks
  • Avoid tobacco products to avoid stains.
  • Use a straw when drinking to minimize contact
  • Rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking

Foods that are generally safe during this two-day window include chicken, rice, pasta, eggs, bananas, white fish, milk, and water, otherwise known as the white diet. 

Avoid coffee, tea, red wine, berries, tomato sauces, dark sodas, and colored sauces after a whitening treatment, as these can easily be absorbed into newly whitened enamel, causing stains.

Managing Tooth Sensitivity After Whitening Treatments

Experiencing some tooth sensitivity is normal and usually subsides within a few days, once your enamel rehardens. 

In order to reduce any discomfort caused by increased sensitivity, try using a desensitizing or fluoride toothpaste, avoid extremely hot or cold foods, and follow your dentist’s recommendations. All of these post-teeth-whitening care tips will help while your enamel rehydrates and returns to normal.

Daily Habits That Protect Your Whitening Results

If you want your treatments to be successful, having good oral hygiene habits is key. 

Brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily helps remove plaque that can attract stains. Rinsing your mouth with water after meals, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding drinks that can stain are all habits that support post-teeth-whitening care. It’s also important to keep up with your regular dental check-ups and cleanings as well. 

You can also use a whitening toothpaste to help remove surface stains after your treatments. It’s important to use it as directed to avoid damaging your enamel.

How To Make Your Results Last Longer

Professional teeth whitening is not permanent. The results can last anywhere from a few months to two years, depending on your lifestyle, eating habits, and oral hygiene practices. 

What Can Shorten Your Teeth Whitening Results

Consuming acidic foods and drinks, as well as certain oral habits, play major roles in how long your results last. While you don’t need to eliminate these completely, it’s best to enjoy them in moderation:

  • Coffee and tea
  • Red wine
  • Dark sodas
  • Berries and deeply colored fruits
  • Tomato-based sauces

Smoking is also one of the fastest ways to undo the effects of your whitening treatment. Cutting back or stopping any tobacco use can help your smile stay white longer.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Some habits that can cause issues or interfere with your results are:

When To Get a Touch-Up or Additional Treatments

Depending on your lifestyle, touch-up treatments or additional sessions may help maintain or help you reach your preferred shade. If you regularly drink coffee, tea, or wine, you may benefit from additional whitening maintenance either by using custom whitening trays or in-office touch-ups.

Good Post Teeth Whitening Care Includes Professional Support

Teeth whitening is one of the most effective ways to refresh your smile, but maintaining those results requires you to follow proper teeth whitening aftercare. Professional teeth whitening is an investment, so if you want to extend the life of your treatment, you must stick to good dental habits and have a dentist you can trust to provide guidance and support. 

At Premier Cosmetics & Family Dentistry, we are here to help you maintain your results with professional care, recommendations tailored to your lifestyle, and ongoing support.