Written by Dr. Cristian Dunker, BDSc, MBA
After Your Teeth Whitening Treatment
Teeth whitening uses a peroxide gel to lift staining from within the tooth. For a short period afterwards the enamel is more porous than usual, which explains both of the things patients notice most: temporary sensitivity, and an unusual vulnerability to staining. The 48 hours after treatment do more to determine your final result than anything else you do.
The First 48 Hours: The White Diet
While the enamel pores are open, anything that would stain a white shirt will stain your teeth. Sticking to pale-coloured food and drink for 48 hours is the single most effective thing you can do to protect the result.
Avoid for 48 hours:
Coffee, tea, and red wine
Cola and other dark soft drinks
Red and dark sauces, including tomato, soy, curry, and balsamic
Berries, beetroot, and dark fruit juices
Red meat and highly coloured processed foods
Coloured mouthwashes and coloured toothpastes
Smoking and vaping, which stain rapidly during this window
Suitable choices during this window include chicken, fish, rice, pasta with white sauce, potato, plain yoghurt, white cheese, bananas, egg whites, and water.
If you cannot avoid a staining drink altogether, use a straw and rinse with water immediately afterwards.
Managing Sensitivity
Sensitivity after whitening is common, usually described as short, sharp twinges rather than a constant ache. It is temporary and does not indicate damage to the teeth.
Use a desensitising toothpaste containing potassium nitrate. Starting it a few days before treatment and continuing afterwards helps considerably.
Avoid very hot and very cold food and drink for the first few days.
Take ibuprofen or paracetamol as needed, following the dosage instructions on the packet.
If you are using take-home trays, shorten the wear time or skip a day rather than stopping altogether.
Sensitivity typically settles within 24 to 48 hours of in-chair whitening, and resolves once take-home treatment is complete.
Gum tenderness or small white patches on the gum can occur if gel contacts the tissue. This settles within a few hours to a day and does not require treatment.
Take-Home Whitening Trays
Brush and floss before inserting the trays so the gel contacts clean enamel.
Use only a small amount of gel per tooth, roughly the size of a grain of rice. More gel does not whiten faster, and excess squeezes onto the gums and causes irritation.
Seat the trays and wipe away any gel that has squeezed out with a clean finger or a cotton bud.
Wear them for the time prescribed for your gel strength. Do not extend the wear time on your own.
Rinse the trays in cool water after use and store them dry in their case. Never use hot water, which warps them.
Keep gel refrigerated if advised, and note its expiry date.
Keep the trays for future top-ups. A short refresher every 6 to 12 months maintains the result.
Internal Bleaching
Internal bleaching whitens a single tooth that has darkened after root canal treatment, by placing whitening material inside the tooth and sealing it with a temporary filling.
Avoid biting directly on the tooth while the temporary seal is in place. It is not as strong as a permanent filling.
Avoid sticky foods that could pull the temporary out.
Contact us promptly if the temporary filling comes out, as the whitening material must not be left exposed.
The result appears gradually. Two or three appointments spaced about a week apart are often needed.
Attend the final appointment to have the permanent restoration placed. This step seals the tooth and is not optional.
Some rebound in shade over the following months is normal, and the shade is reassessed at review.
Keeping Your Result
Return to normal brushing and flossing immediately. Whitening does not change your usual routine.
After the first 48 hours you can eat and drink normally, though heavy coffee, tea, and red wine will gradually dull the result.
Rinse with water after staining drinks, and wait 30 minutes before brushing after anything acidic.
Regular professional cleans remove surface staining and keep the shade looking fresh.
Whitening does not lighten crowns, veneers, or fillings. If you have restorations in your smile line, their shade may need reviewing once your natural teeth have settled, usually about two weeks after treatment.
What Is Normal During Recovery
Short, sharp sensitivity to cold for 24 to 48 hours
Mild gum tenderness where gel contacted the tissue
Temporary white patches on the gums that fade within a day
Teeth appearing slightly uneven in shade at first, evening out over a week
Some settling of the shade over the first two weeks
When to Contact Your Dentist
Severe or persistent pain rather than brief twinges
Sensitivity that has not settled after a week
Gum irritation, ulceration, or bleeding that does not resolve within a day or two
A single tooth that becomes painful or darkens further
A temporary filling that comes out during internal bleaching
An allergic reaction such as a rash or swelling
If you notice any of these signs, contact ArtSmiles on the Gold Coast for review. If you are unhappy with the shade or the evenness of your result, let us know at your review appointment rather than repeating treatment on your own, as results vary between individuals and some causes of tooth discolouration respond differently to whitening.
You can book a consultation online or get in touch with us if you have concerns after your treatment.
