What Is Cosmetic Teeth Whitening?
Cosmetic Teeth Whitening is the process of lightening the color of the tooth’s surface color by removing stains. Whitening is often desirable when teeth become yellowed over time for a number of reasons, and can be achieved by changing the intrinsic or extrinsic color of the tooth enamel. Whitening is one of the most requested cosmetic dental treatments. This simple procedure can remove years of staining and discolorations from teeth, giving you a brighter and more youthful appearance.
What you may expect during the procedure: You may experience a tingling sensation, numbing and or dry lips. When applying the glaze you may feel a pushing/tugging around the gums and a cold sensation on teeth. When removing the solution you may be sensitive with the suction. Reminder: Teeth can be sensitive for a few days after this treatment. Lips and gums can be sensitive when brushing for a week. Avoid very hot / cold foods and drinks for a couple of days.
Am I A Canidate?
Just about anyone is a candidate for teeth whitening. However, the following cases should be considered: People with dark yellow or yellow-brown teeth tend to whiten better than people with gray or bluish-gray teeth. Multi-colored teeth, especially if due to tetracycline, do not whiten very well. People with significant periodontal disease are not good candidates. If you are pregnant, obtain permission from your doctor before trying the whitening procedure. People with minimal discoloration, (teeth that are already very white) may not see a substantial degree of whitening. Teeth with many fillings, cavities, chips, etc., are usually best treated by bonding, porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns. Any current restoration you have, such as, fillings, porcelain crowns, onlays and inlays cannot be whitened. Pregnant or lactating women are advised to avoid teeth whitening. The potential impact of swallowed product on the fetus or baby while whitening is not yet known. We also recommend the treatment for persons over the age of 16. Individuals with highly sensitive teeth, or those who are in need of dental work should consult with their dentists before having a whitening procedure.
How To Prepare For Your Cosmetic Teeth Whitening Appointment
Before your appointment Please Floss your teeth & Brush with fluoride toothpaste lightly prior to your whitening treatment. You may also want to eat before your appointment. Since eating can soften tooth enamel, you should eat at least 30 minutes before your appointment.
After Care
In the first couple of days after your procedure, your teeth will be particularly vulnerable to staining. Being careful about the foods you eat for the first few days after a professional teeth whitening can help you maintain your new, whiter smile for longer. NO Tea, Coffee, Red wine, Curry or anything that would stain a white shirt for a minimum 1 day recommended 3 days. If you must consume dark liquids, do so through a straw.
For 48 hours after a cosmetic teeth whitening, it’s recommended that you avoid acidic, pigmented foods and beverages and stick to things that won’t cause discoloration. This is commonly called the “White Diet”, a short-term diet consisting of white and light-colored foods and drinks. Read on to learn more about the White Diet, what foods you should avoid, and what foods are safe to eat after teeth whitening.
How does the White Diet work?
After professional whitening, your teeth become slightly porous and the dentin layer becomes temporarily exposed. Acidic and dark-colored foods are more easily absorbed into your teeth after whitening, which can cause discoloration. By following the White Diet for 48 hours after a whitening procedure, you can limit the number of dyes and pigments that come into contact with your teeth until the sensitivity goes away.
Foods and Drinks to Avoid After Teeth Whitening
The foods and beverages below contain natural pigments or artificial dyes that can build up over time and lead to discoloration. You don’t have to cut out these foods forever. Your teeth are the most sensitive during the first couple of days after a whitening procedure, so we recommend avoiding these foods for only about 2 days.
1. Wine – Both red and white wines can be harmful to the color and enamel of your teeth. Red wine is high in acidity, and the dark pigment makes it likely to cause stains. White wine, even though it’s lighter in color, can also break down enamel.
2. Coffee & Tea – It may be hard to kick your coffee or tea habit for a few days, but avoiding these drinks can help you avoid one of the biggest sources of stains. Coffee and tea contain tannins, which can build up over time and darken the color of your teeth. After a professional whitening, when your teeth are at their most porous, tannins can stain even faster. Limit your coffee and tea consumption for a few days after getting your teeth whitened. If you absolutely can’t go a day without your morning brew, try drinking it through a straw to help minimize contact with your teeth.
3. Soft Drinks – If it fizzes, you might want to steer clear of it. Carbonated drinks are high in sugar and acid, which can strip away tooth enamel. Dark-colored colas can also contribute to surface stains. Avoiding soft drinks even when you’re not following the White Diet can help you have healthier, brighter teeth.
4. Candy & Chocolate – Refined sugars can lead to decay, erosion, and discoloration, especially when your teeth are sensitive after whitening. Be sure to avoid chocolate and artificially-colored candies right after your procedure.
5. Dark Fruits – Dark-colored fruits are rich in pigments that can stain your teeth. If a fruit is particularly acidic, it can also contribute to enamel erosion. It may help to avoid fruits with dark juices, like raspberries, cherries, pomegranates, blackberries, and blueberries. Stay away from juices containing these fruits, too. Don’t cut healthy fruits out of your diet for too long, though—it’s safe to eat your favorites again 48 hours after whitening.
Foods and Drinks You Can Have After Teeth Whitening
Now that you know what foods you should avoid, here are the foods that are great to eat after having your teeth whitened. Just as the name suggests, these are primarily white-colored foods that have low acidity and are free of the pigments and chemicals that can lead to stains.
1. Fish, Chicken, & Tofu – Light, lean proteins are healthy in general and great after getting your teeth whitened. Just be cautious of any vibrant seasonings or sauces to go with your protein; instead, stick to white sauces.
2. Rice, Bread, & Pasta – Most grains are safe to have on the White Diet. However, be on the lookout for bread and pasta that lists molasses or food coloring in the ingredients—these are often included to give bread and pasta an artificially darker appearance, which can transfer to your teeth.
3. White Cheese & Yogurt – Skip artificially colored cheeses and sugary, flavored yogurts. White cheeses and plain yogurts are ideal choices for this diet.
4. Fresh Fruits & Vegetables – Light-colored fruits and vegetables are a staple of the White Diet. Fruits (like pears, bananas, and apples) and vegetables (like cauliflower, potatoes, and mushrooms) are not only healthy for you, but good for your teeth, too!
5. Water – Water is the best drink for hydration, oral health, and smile brightness. Water has no risk of staining your teeth or wearing down your enamel, so it should be your first choice of beverage on the White Diet.
Risks
Teeth whitening treatments are considered to be safe when procedures are followed as directed. However, there are certain risks associated with whitening that you should be aware of:
Sensitivity: Although rare with our gentle gel, teeth whitening can cause a temporary increase in sensitivity to temperature, pressure, and touch. In extreme cases some individuals may experience spontaneous shooting pains. Individuals at greatest risk for whitening sensitivity are those with gum recession, significant cracks in their teeth or leakage resulting from faulty restorations. If this occurs discontinue immediately and ask your client to rinse and make an appointment with their dentist. Whitening sensitivity usually lasts no longer than a day or two, but in some cases may persist a little longer. We recommend toothpaste for sensitive teeth to reduce sensitivity.
Gum Irritation: Clients occasionally experience some degree of gum irritation usually from applying the gel on to the gum tissue. Such irritation typically lasts from a few minutes after treatment up to several days. The use of the vitamin e swab is very successful in eliminating gum sensitivity.
Technicolor Teeth: Restorations such as bonding, dental crowns or porcelain veneers are not affected by bleach and therefore maintain their default color while the surrounding teeth are whitened. This results in what is frequently called “technicolor teeth” If the default color of these restorations is lighter than the natural teeth, the whitening treatment can still be used. We recommend that the client’s teeth be color checked after the first 20 minute session in these cases, as it may be all is required to match restorations.
Tooth Sensitivity – During the first 24 hours following whitening, some patients experience transient sensitivity. This sensitivity is usually mild if your teeth are not normally sensitive. With power whitening, this sensitivity will usually subside in 1-2 days. However, if your teeth are normally sensitive, whitening may make your teeth more sensitive for an extended period of time. Under these circumstances, you may choose to delay the whitening process until we are able to complete desensitization procedures. If your teeth are sensitive after whitening, a mild analgesic such as Tylenol or Advil will usually be effective in making you more comfortable until your tooth sensitivity returns to normal.
Gum Irritation- This is the result of a small amount of solution leaking under the gum protection. A burning sensation on your gums may also occur. This should resolve by itself between a few hours to a few days. You may also experience burning and /or swelling of the lips.
Effect On Fillings – Tooth colored fillings will not whiten. If the filling matches your current color, whitening will result in mis-matched shades with your natural teeth. You may need to have your fillings replaced to match your newly whitening teeth.