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 something exclusive to 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 because of its speed and quick results.
With so many desirable benefits of teeth whitening, are there any sacrifices to be made by those about to participate in this treatment?
1) Yes, during the next 48/72 hours you should only consume foods and drinks that are white, cream or very pale, these can consist of: Milk, water with lemonade, 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 yogurts, etc.
Be sure NOT to consume: Tea (including herbal teas), coffee, red wine, cola, beer, fruit juices, pumpkin, strawberries, raspberries, oranges, green vegetables, carrots, salsa, red meat, custard, gravy, tomatoes , pizza, tomato sauce, 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 aim 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 brushings, the easier they will stain: teeth are full of pores that absorb everything we put into our mouths. If you can’t brush your teeth after eating, a mouthful of water moving around your mouth will help minimize staining.
2) Smoking should be stopped before teeth whitening. 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 beat the nicotine habit. All those pennies saved by kicking the habit can be used to rectify the damage it may have done 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 relief medications as directed by your teeth whitening technician, provided 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 teeth whitening.