After having your teeth whitened, you want to maintain their brightness with good aftercare. For this reason, here are a few tips for taking care of your teeth after a teeth-whitening procedure.

Brush, Floss, and Rinse Your Mouth Regularly

Following your teeth-whitening procedure, make brushing, flossing and rinsing your mouth a regular routine. Tooth whitening toothpaste is often recommended. Tooth sensitivity is common after teeth whitening procedures, so consider purchasing desensitising toothpaste too. When brushing, remember to scrape your tongue, since most of the oral bacteria that facilitate tooth discolouration can build up on your tongue.

Don't Smoke

Don't smoke immediately after your teeth whitening procedure. Cigarettes have certain ingredients that can contribute to staining of the teeth.

Stick to White or Pigment-Free Foods

Tooth whitening treatments will make your teeth porous. Therefore, you want to avoid pigment-intense foods to prevent your teeth from absorbing the stains. This means you should avoid foods and drinks such as carrots, orange fruits, tomatoes, red wine, coffee, tea and orange juice. Recommended foods and drinks include chicken, bananas, white fish, white wine, milk, and water, among others. Water is especially important because it helps rinse your mouth of any stains. When drinking anything besides water, especially when drinking coloured drinks, consider using a straw. This will help minimise the contact of the drink with your teeth, which reduces the chances of your teeth staining again.

Don't Eat Acidic Foods and Drinks

Acidic fruits and drinks such as citrus fruits can contribute to teeth sensitivity after the whitening procedure. Therefore, minimise your intake of such foods or avoid them completely for a few days after the procedure.

Eat Crunchy Fruits and Veggies

Crunchy fruits and vegetables such as apples and cabbages act as natural toothbrushes. As they help scrub your teeth, they also increase the flow of saliva in your mouth, which can help wash away any staining bacteria. Besides, eating a lot of fruits and vegetables can help limit your sugar consumption. Sugar is among the key substances that contribute to tooth staining.

Don't Wear Lipstick

Avoid wearing lipstick or lip gloss immediately after your teeth whitening procedure. They can discolour your teeth.

Following the above tips will help you maintain healthy and whiter teeth without endangering your oral health. Remember to be consistent with your oral hygiene and to visit your dentist regularly too for check-ups. All these will boost your smile!

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