It is never easy to avoid food for a long time, but with that, people also want to keep the natural whiteness of their teeth. There are several reasons for tooth discolouration, including chromogens, acids and tannins in everyday foods. If you want to transform your smile quickly, teeth whitening is a great way, as it can make you look younger and bring back your confidence.
A few things we need to bear in mind, like how long after teeth whitening can I eat normally? Experts recommend a white diet after your teeth whitening procedure so that there can be no stains and you don’t feel discomfort in your gums. Read on to learn more about teeth whitening and foods you must avoid afterwards.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
These days, teeth whitening has become a famous cosmetic dental procedure involving carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide for removing teeth discolouration and stains. It can be done at a dental office or at home, as the process involves applying a bleaching gel to the teeth.
The bleaching gel penetrates the enamel and dentin to break down the stain molecules. This way, you can get a whiter and brighter smile. It is normal to experience discomfort and sensitivity after the process because the bleaching gel can irritate the tissues and nerves. It is worth mentioning that all its side effects are short-lived, and you can be back to normal in a few days.
How Long Should You Wait Before Eating After the Teeth Whitening Process?
After the teeth whitening process, it usually takes the teeth between 24 to 72 hours to get to normal. Although it doesn’t mean that the teeth cannot be stained, they are not vulnerable to staining at that time. After two days, teeth stop being sensitive, and chances of staining remain for the next ten days.
The main reason for the teeth being vulnerable and sensitive is that the teeth get dehydrated. They can be rehydrated after drinking water, but try not to drink water all the time. Another vital thing to note is that it is better not to eat anything dark-coloured for at least 24 hours after the teeth whitening procedure. Here is a detailed guide on what to eat after teeth whitening procedure.
Which Foods Should be Avoided After Teeth Whitening?
When the dentist whitens teeth, your teeth can become sensitive to different foods that can stain. After 24-72 hours, you can resume your regular diet. The following are the things that you need to avoid after teeth whitening.
- Sugary foods can irritate your teeth and trigger the bacteria responsible for causing decay.
- Any food that stains make your teeth vulnerable to staining.
- Dark-coloured drinks like coffee, tea, red wine and tomato juice can also stain your teeth.
- Take soft drinks or fruit juices off your menu for at least a few days after teeth whitening.
Although you don’t need to avoid everything for the rest of the time, if you can give your teeth a couple of days, the teeth will quickly get settled. It is never a good idea to whiten them and ruin everything with your hands.
Teeth Whitening Consultation in Bentleigh East, VIC, Australia
It is possible to transform your smile and appearance with teeth whitening, and EDentist Bentleigh East will ensure that you can get sparkling white teeth in a single session. We will also recommend diet recommendations to keep the teeth white longer than usual.
If you like to know more about ‘how long after teeth whitening can I eat normally’, call EDentist Bentleigh East today or fill in an appointment request on the contact page.
