Professional teeth whitening at the dentist is a procedure that allows you to achieve fantastic results and is safe for your teeth at the same time. However, your teeth will still require special care and some diet restrictions for several days after the procedure to ensure the desired results that will last for a long time. Many coffee lovers ask: can you drink coffee after teeth whitening? Please read our article to learn the answer to this question and other after-teeth whitening care tips.
The Teeth Whitening Procedure
A teeth whitening procedure typically starts with making a record of the natural shade of your teeth. Your dentist will also carefully examine your oral health to make sure that you do not have cavities, tooth decay, or gum disease. If any of these issues are present, they will have to be treated before the teeth whitening procedure.
The next step is to remove plaque and debris from the teeth and polish them afterward. Before the procedure begins, your teeth will be dried using gauze, and your gum line and lips will be protected to avoid damaging them by a whitening agent. Then, the whitening solution will be applied to your teeth. Once the desired result is achieved, the solution will be removed in 30 to 60 minutes. Sometimes, the procedure has to be repeated for optimal results.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening procedures might involve various methods, but the most common and, in fact, safest one uses peroxide as a bleaching agent. Molecules of the bleaching agent penetrate the enamel and react with molecules that cause staining and discoloration. This results in the tooth becoming whiter in color.
Why You Should Avoid Staining Foods and Beverages After Teeth Whitening?
Peroxide used in the whitening procedure can make the enamel of the tooth more porous. Also, the dentin layer of the tooth becomes slightly exposed. This means that for some time, the enamel can become more susceptible to staining. That is why you should avoid any staining agents and acids in your diet for the first 48 hours after the procedure.
Can You Drink Coffee After Teeth Whitening?
In short, you should not drink coffee for at least 48 hours after teeth whitening treatment. In fact, you have to avoid all drinks and foods that contain staining agents. The list includes but is not limited to:
- Coffee
- Black tea
- Red wine
- Fruit juices
- Soda and other drinks containing dyes
- Foods and candies containing dyes
- Berries
- Chocolate and hot cocoa
- Soy sauce
- Tomato based sauces
- Curry
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Beetroot
- Carrots
- Acidic foods and beverages
- Brightly colored spices (for example, paprika)
Some patients ask if they can drink coffee and tea through a straw after teeth whitening. Using a straw for staining beverages might be a good idea to preserve the results of teeth whitening in the long run. However, you still should completely abstain from them for the first 48 hours, even using a straw. You will be able to return to your usual diet after that.
Other After Teeth Whitening Care Tips
To make sure that your new pearly smile remains this way for a long time and your teeth are healthy, follow these after-teeth whitening care tips:
- Adhere to a “white diet” for a couple of days after teeth whitening. Such a diet includes products like fish, chicken, tofu, rice, bread, pasta, potatoes, apples, cauliflower, white cheese, yogurt, etc.
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene by gently but thoroughly brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing every evening. To enhance your dental hygiene routine, consider using a water flosser.
- Use a non-abrasive toothpaste with fluoride and a soft toothbrush to avoid damaging the surface of your teeth and creating micro scratches.
- Ask your dentist to recommend toothpaste suitable for teeth care after whitening.
- Avoid smoking and using tobacco products, as they are the most common reason for tooth discoloration and staining.
- Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings to remove plaque buildup and surface stains.
- Rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after meals, especially if you consumed any staining products listed above. This will help to avoid new stains and discoloration.
- Avoid using over-the-counter teeth whitening kits.
Make an Appointment Today
Make an appointment with a cosmetic dentist at Monte Vista Dental Group today to get a professional teeth whitening treatment. We are looking forward to welcoming you to our office and to helping you achieve your best pearly smile.