Let’s Make Sure Your Teeth Stay White After You’ve Had Them Whitened

Now that you’ve whitened your teeth, how do you keep your new bright smile? The answer starts within the first 48 hours after your treatment.

At Oasis Family Dental in the Jefferson Park section of Chicago, dentist Paula Skowronski-Adamiak, DDS, uses Zoom! in-office teeth whitening, which can lighten your teeth up to 8 shades in a 45-minute visit. While the results are immediate, your tooth enamel is most susceptible to damage in the first two days post-whitening. During this time, they can absorb stains more easily, so to maintain your bright smile, you’ll want to follow this strategy and protect your results.

The first 48 hours matters most

During the first two days after whitening, it’s best to avoid foods and drinks known to stain enamel.

These include:

Coffee and tea
Red wine
Dark sodas
Berries
Tomato-based sauces

If you choose a darker drink, drink through a straw and rinse your mouth with water afterward to reduce contact with your teeth.

Stick to a pale diet at first

For those first few days, choose light-colored foods. Poultry, white fish, eggs, bananas, and light sauces won’t discolor your teeth, giving your tooth enamel time to rehydrate and stabilize.

Limit known stain triggers

Some foods and drinks are known to stain teeth. It’s wise to avoid or reduce your consumption of things like coffee, tea, and red wine. If you’re a smoker, you probably know nicotine stains teeth yellow, so it’s a good idea to reduce or quit smoking to keep your teeth brighter and support your overall health.

Don’t skip your oral hygiene

Brush twice daily and floss to prevent surface stains from setting in. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush for two minutes. Consistent home care keeps plaque from attracting new stains.

Stay on schedule with routine cleanings

Dentists recommend biannual cleanings for several reasons, including removing surface stains before they become embedded. Every six-month cleaning removes plaque buildup and allows our dentist to monitor your enamel health and recommend touch-up whitening as appropriate.

Proper care helps professional whitening last longer.

What can you expect?

Professional whitening can dramatically brighten your smile, but it doesn’t permanently change the natural color of your teeth. Results vary depending on your existing shade, the type of stains you have, and your lifestyle. Surface stains from coffee, wine, or tobacco usually respond well to treatment. However, deeper discoloration caused by certain medications may not lighten as much.

Whitening also doesn’t affect crowns, veneers, or fillings.

Dental advice

If you have questions about maintaining your teeth whitening or are considering teeth whitening and wonder if it’s for you, turn to Oasis Family Dental. You can schedule an appointment by phone or online.