Oral Health Link to Whole Body Health: A Blog
Things to Remember After a Teeth Whitening Treatment
Duane Kelly
Having a teeth whitening treatment is a dream come true for many people, as they finally get the stunning smile they've always wanted. It can lead to big improvements in your self-confidence and the way you feel in social situations, which is an incredibly valuable result.
The treatments can take several sessions to finally get the whiteness you want, as it's not an instant process. When the treatment is finished, you're sure to be pleased with the result and eager to put the treatment behind you, but there are a few important things to bear in mind.
Expect some sensitivity
Because the whitening treatment is strong, it can make your teeth more sensitive for a little while. This can happen after a single session of whitening or not until the whole course has been completed, but it's a pretty common side effect.
It should pass after a couple of days, but you should be careful not to eat foods that are too hot or cold in the meantime so you don't cause yourself pain. If it lingers for a long time, talk to your dentist.
Be careful what you eat afterwards
When the treatment is completed, your teeth can be more prone to staining for the first 24 hours. To stop them from becoming discoloured again, don't drink tea, coffee or red wine or eat any foods with artificial colours. You should even be careful with coloured toothpaste—it's best to use a plain white one for a few days after treatment.
Remember the result won't last forever
Teeth aren't naturally pure white and, over time, yours are likely to go a little off-colour again. This is nothing to worry about, and you can have them whitened again when you want to, as long as enough time has passed since your last treatment.
You can slow down this process by taking good care of your teeth and cutting down on foods that stain. If you smoke, you should give it up as soon as you can because nicotine is a big cause of yellow teeth.
Keep an eye on your gums
Although it's not common, some of the whitening solution can get onto your gums and irritate them. It's quite a strong substance, so you might notice a bit of bleeding and possibly some slight pain. If this does happen, it should stop fairly quickly. However, if your gums aren't healing or they seem to be getting worse, don't hesitate to see a dentist.
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You may have heard that cavities and oral decay are linked to things like heart disease, and, in fact, your oral health affects your entire body. Hi! My name is Brenda, and I like to look at things holistically. Because of that, I created this blog. I plan for its posts to look at the link between dental issues and other health issues. I hope that the people who visit this blog learn a few tips about oral care as well as gaining a deeper understanding of why it's so important. Healthy smiles indicate a healthy body, and I hope this blog helps you achieve both!