The unspoken trade-offs after professional laser teeth whitening
Laser whitening provides instant whitening results using a light-activated gel to brighten teeth.
More and more people are opting for professional teeth whitening. It’s no longer seen as the preserve of the rich and famous, but advances in teeth whitening technology have made it accessible to everyone. Many in-office treatments now offer 1-hour, 1-visit procedures that many refer to as “lunchtime” teeth whitening, due to their speed and quick results.
With so many desirable benefits of teeth whitening, is there any sacrifice to be made on the part of those about to participate in this treatment?
1) Yes, during the next 48/72 hours you should only consume white, cream or very pale food and drinks, these may consist of: Milk, lemonade water, white wine, chicken, fish, rice, smoked salmon, tuna, pasta, potatoes (boiled or roasted), French fries, parsnips, cauliflower, sweet corn, cheese sauce, mayonnaise, salad cream, vanilla ice cream, apple pie, bananas, plain yoghurts, etc.
Be sure NOT to consume: Tea (including herbal teas), coffee, red wine, cola, beer, fruit juices, pumpkins, strawberries, raspberries, oranges, green vegetables, carrots, gravy, red meat, custard, gravy, tomatoes , pizza, ketchup, brown sauce, chili, curry, jam, chocolate, etc.
For the longest lasting results possible… Once your teeth have been treated, you should be able to easily maintain the color. You should look to brush your teeth at least three to four times a day (especially after staining food or drinks). The longer you leave your teeth between brushing, the easier they will stain: teeth are full of pores that absorb everything we put in our mouths. If you can’t brush your teeth after eating, a mouthful of water that is swished around your mouth will help minimize staining.
2) You should stop smoking before you whiten your teeth. Smoking can cause damage to the tissues of the teeth and can nullify the effect of whitening. The best candidates for whitening are those with stains caused by coffee, tobacco or aging. Teeth whitening can be a very good gift/reward for those who manage to break the nicotine habit. All those pennies saved by kicking the habit can be used to rectify the damage you may have caused to your teeth.
3) If you choose a peroxide-based laser teeth whitening treatment, you may experience some tooth sensitivity. This can be quite painful and you should avoid hot, cold or acidic foods and drinks. Take pain-relieving medications as directed by your teeth whitening technician, as long as there is no medical contradiction based on your medical history. Use fluoride rinse and toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
In general, the sacrifices are small compared to the benefits of whitening your teeth.