Should You Brush Your Teeth After Whitening Treatments?

Should you brush your teeth after whitening?- Technically, brushing your teeth after whitening treatment is safe given that it’s done gently. Recklessly brushing your teeth can irritate your gums which may result in bleeding. However, you can maximize the use of the whitening ingredients by brushing your teeth before doing the treatment. Read more at this page to know how to properly care for your newly whitened teeth. If you want your teeth to be bright and white, you can try the professional teeth whitening services from Carindale Family Dentist today.

Different Teeth Whitening Treatments

We all want to possess a bright and perfect smile. Somehow, this can be quite hard to achieve if your teeth are stained with yellow or brown marks. This happens because as we age, the enamel that protects our teeth gradually becomes dull and loses its shine due to the food that we consume.

Fortunately, we can now purchase different whitening products to reduce the discoloration of our teeth and restore their natural color. Cosmetic dentistry also offers various services in order to reinstate your bright smile by whitening your teeth.

Most teeth whitening products contain ingredients like hydrogen peroxide aka carbamide peroxide(for bleaching). Hydrogen peroxide serves as the main whitening ingredient and usually consumes 16% of the total ingredients.

Below are the most common whitening procedures nowadays:

• Whitening strips. This teeth whitening product can be bought over the counter and is usually available in any kind of store. The package includes several strips that should be placed on top of each tooth from top to bottom. They are flexible and easy to arrange so it’s very convenient to use whether you’re at home or outdoor.
• Custom-fit tray bleaching. This is a kind of treatment where you can buy the materials and perform the whitening procedure on your own, or, you could give your dentist a visit and let them do it for you. The product includes trays with whitening materials that are securely fitted to the teeth. If you opt to try this option, it’s always much better to consult your dentist first.
• Whitening toothpaste. The results of a whitening toothpaste are nothing compared to professional teeth whitening and other procedures. However, with regular use, it can provide protection against stains caused by bright colored foods and provide a minimal whitening outcome.
• Laser bleaching. Advanced Dentistry offers this method which guarantees optimal and satisfactory results despite its expensive tag. Laser bleaching uses a bleaching agent that is spread throughout the teeth, this ingredient is then activated by a laser. A mouthguard will also be placed in the mouth to protect gums and lips.
• Zoom whitening. Zoom whitening uses a highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide gel (about 25%) together with a special lamp to whiten teeth. The process usually takes 45 minutes to finish with significant results in the first session. This can only be done in a dental office.
• Boost. Another treatment that’s available in a dental office is the Boost whitening procedure. Unlike others, it doesn’t use any kind of laser or light.
• Veneers, lastly, if the teeth discoloration is severe and untreatable with usual whitening treatments, your dentist might recommend veneers. Although veneers are quite expensive, this option will drastically improve your smile as it will not only conceal your stained teeth but you will also have the option to shape them into a more appealing shape.

Whatever kind of whitening treatment you choose to use, be sure to always ask your dentist first as they know which of these can help you in the best ways. One of the few things to consider is having sensitive teeth after the procedure so make sure to follow your dentist’s advice.

Teeth Whitening Aftercare

You wouldn’t want to waste the money you spent on teeth whitening procedures so it’s important that you try to maintain the results for as long as possible. It’s not recommended to brush your teeth immediately after the treatment but it’s also not forbidden. To ensure that your teeth stay bright and shiny, follow the tips below.

The first 2 days after your treatment is very crucial, that is why it’s imperative that your stay conscious about your food and drink consumption. As you may already know, several types of foods can cause teeth stain so you might as well try to avoid them at the moment.

These bright colored foods usually include the following:

• Coffee, tea, wine, and soda. These beverages are dark in appearance and can leave stains on the teeth instantly.
• Dark-colored condiments and sauce. This includes soy sauce, BBq sauce, red pasta sauce, and many more.
• Fruit juices and smoothies.
• Brown or dark chocolate. This is one of the most notorious teeth-staining food that you should avoid for at least a few days. Put your intake at a minimum as well.
• Foods with acid. Oranges, lemons, or any kinds of fruits rich in acids must be avoided. These foods can weaken the enamel over time.
• Foods with synthetic coloring.

Your food choices should be limited to:

• light-colored vegetables
• white meat
• water or drinks without color
• non-acidic fruits

Proper Oral Hygiene

You see, teeth whitening is a procedure that aims to provide a brighter smile and whiter teeth to make you feel more confident. Apart from avoiding unrecommended foods, you must also observe a proper oral care regimen to ensure that your teeth stay white for a long period of time.

For optimum results, try to consider the oral care tips below:

1. Brush your teeth two to three times a day. Do it in a gentle manner and always take your time. Avoid brushing harshly to prevent gum irritation. You may also opt to buy a brush with soft bristles.
2. Use dental floss at least once a day. This will remove the tartars that toothbrushes can’t reach which will prevent plaque build-up.
3. Kill the bacteria in your mouth by using a mouthwash with antiseptic and fluoride. A mouthwash can protect you from bacteria and provide fresh breath.
4. Use a whitening toothpaste from time to time. Avoid using it every day as it has components that can be harmful if exposed to the teeth too frequently.
5. Visit the dental office twice a year. This is a highly recommended dental care procedure. Regular check-ups will ensure that you are safe from periodontal disease or any infections.

Do A Follow-Up Treatment

The results of teeth whitening procedures are temporary only. Since it’s inevitable to consume foods with colors, the stains will slowly come back and leave marks over time. Dentists suggest a touch-up every 6 months to ensure that your teeth won’t go back t0 their color prior to the initial treatment.