Whether you had a professional whitening treatment or used a DIY method like whitening strips, the after-care is important. New York cosmetic dentist Timothy Chase, DMD, shares his top three tips for maintaining a super white smile after whitening your teeth.
Steer clear of stains.
Teeth whitening “opens up the pores” of your teeth, and consuming dark foods or liquids (think red wine, dark colas, coffee, soy sauce, etc.) can reverse the effects. You should wait at least 72 hours after whitening to eat and drink these items, but if you can modify your diet to eliminate them altogether, it will help you maintain your results for much longer.
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Avoid hot and cold foods and drinks.
Because the pores of your teeth are open, your teeth may be temporarily more sensitive to extreme hot and cold temperatures, but it usually goes away in about two or three days.
Don’t brush right away.
You should wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after a whitening treatment to allow your teeth to remineralize.
