In-Office Teeth Whitening Post-Operative Instructions and Maintenance

Congratulations! You’ve just experienced a revolutionary teeth whitening procedure. The next 48 hours are important in enhancing and maximizing your whitening results for a long lasting, bright and healthy smile.

During the first 24 hours after whitening treatment, some patients can experience some tooth sensitivity or pain. This is normal and is usually mild, but it can be worse for some individuals. Normally, tooth sensitivity or pain following a treatment subsides within 24 hours, but in rare cases can persist for longer periods of time in susceptible individuals. People with existing sensitivity, recession, exposed dentin, exposed root surfaces, recently cracked teeth, abfractions (micro-cracks), open cavities, leaking fillings, or other dental conditions that cause sensitivity or allow penetration of the gel into the tooth may find that those conditions increase or prolong tooth sensitivity or pain after whitening treatment.

If your teeth are sensitive after whitening, a mild analgesic such as Tylenol or Advil will usually be effective in making you more comfortable until your tooth sensitivity returns to normal.

For the next 48 hours, dark staining substances should be avoided, such as:

• Red wine, cola, coffee and tea
• Berries such as cherries, blueberries, strawberries
• Tobacco products
• Red sauces, mustard or ketchup, soy sauce

There are many alternative treatments to whiten teeth, such as whitening toothpastes and gels, other in-office Whitening Treatments, take-home Whitening Kits and more! Please call our office for additional information.

Whitening may cause inflammation of your gums, lips or cheek margins. This is due to inadvertent exposure of a small area of those tissues to the whitening gel. The inflammation is usually temporary which will subside in a few days but may persist longer and may result in significant pain or discomfort, depending on the degree to which the soft tissues were exposed to the gel.

After the whitening treatment, it is natural for the teeth that underwent treatment to regress somewhat in their shading after treatment. This is natural and should be very gradual, but it can be accelerated by exposing the teeth to various staining agents. Maintenance usually involves wearing a take-home tray or repeating the whitening treatment.

Please use the following tips to maintain the brightness and health of your teeth!

• Use a Sonicare or any similar electric toothbrush.
• Regular professional dental hygiene care to maintain oral health, keep staining to a minimum.
• Use whitening trays for touch-ups as recommended by the dentist.
• Practice good oral hygiene by tooth brushing, flossing, and tongue cleaning. We will assist you in selecting the products to maintain not only a white smile, but a healthy one as well!