Home teeth whitening. White diet.
Do you like coffee and it shows in the color of your teeth? Many people want a whiter smile, but choosing from a variety of teeth whitening products is difficult. What's the difference between teeth whitening pencils, whitening toothpastes and mouth guards, and which option is right for you?
Teeth whitening Pencils
When you need a quick effect, a teeth whitening pencil is the way to go. Its thin tube is filled with teeth whitening gel, and one end has a brush to apply the gel.
Thanks to its compact size, the teeth whitening pencil is easy to carry in your purse, making it ideal for teeth whitening before an important meeting, date or social event. Apply the gel at the few minute, and an attractive smile will give you confidence.
Whitening toothpaste
If you want to gradually remove stains from your tooth enamel, whitening toothpaste comes in handy. Simply use it twice a day instead of your regular toothpaste.
While brushing your teeth, whitening toothpaste gradually removes stains from your teeth. These stains come from eating foods that contain dyes. These include coffee, red wine, tea, chocolate, beets, berries and other foods and beverages. But if you want a bright white smile and not just surface stains and discoloration, whitening toothpaste may not be enough.
Custom-made teeth whitening mouth guards
Do you want to get rid more than just surface stains? Ask your personal dentist about at home teeth whitening system. Several teeth whitening systems are available over-the-counter at drugstores, but keep in mind that a one-size-fits-all mouth guard may not work for every person. If the mouth guard does not fit properly, the teeth whitening gel will come into contact with the gum tissue and can cause irritation. The best option is to have the mouth guards custom-made. Your dentist will make them specifically for you, and you will avoid discomfort.
The teeth whitening process itself will take place at home, not in the dentist's ofice.
This way of teeth whitening is both effective and very comfortable. Depending on the product you choose and your needs, your dentist will advise you to wear a mouth guard once or twice a day for one to two weeks.
Opinion of experts about teeth whitening
The experts strongly recommends you to visit your personal dentist before using any teeth whitening system. Teeth whitening is a chemical process and is not suitable for everyone. A professional dentist can help you choose the right option without harming your health.
For example, if you have hypersensitive teeth or gum disease, chemical teeth whitening may cause further irritation. If your teeth are stained brown or gray, it will be difficult to whiten them evenly. Fillings on visible areas of the tooth or crowns will contrast with the rest of your teeth after bleaching.
If for some reason teeth whitening at home is contraindicated for you, don't feel bad: there are other options for achieving a Hollywood smile. Ask your dentist about alternatives like veneers.
Choosing the right teeth whitening system can be tricky, and a professional dentist can help, based on your individual needs and desires.
The white diet – what food can I eat after teeth whitening?
A white diet is any combination of food and drink recommended for patients who have undergone teeth whitening based on minimal pigmentation. A white diet excludes staining foods and drinks such as curry, beets and red wine, and also excludes certain acidic liquids (e.g. vinegar, pineapple juice) associated with enamel erosion staining.
How long should I follow a white diet after teeth whitening?
Immediately after your teeth whitening procedure, following a diet of simple colored foods and non-acidic liquids for at least 48 hours can help maintain the results.
Following this diet for two weeks before treatment can also minimize possible staining of your teeth, which can increase the effectiveness of your whitening treatment.
What foods are good for the white diet?
Foods that are recommended as part of the white diet include the following foods:
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Breakfast |
Lunch
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Dinner
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Treats
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Bananas Egg whites White yogurt (low-fat to avoid acids) One-ton cereal, oats and porridge
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Sour cream Boiled potatoes Cream of mushroom soup Sushi with plain fish Bagels with cream cheese Sandwich with white cheese and white bread
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Turnip Parsnips noodles scallops Crab meat Cauliflower Boiled white rice Regular chicken or turkey Cooked pasta with nonfat white sauce Any type of white fish (e.g., cod) White cheese (e.g., goat cheese, ricotta)
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Meringue Rice pudding Marshmallow Vanilla pudding Whipped cream white chocolate
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Water is the recommended beverage as part of a white diet for 48 hours after a teeth whitening procedure. However, other beverages with a low risk of staining include sparkling water, skim milk, tonic and gin. Using a straw can also reduce contact between any beverages and the surface of the teeth.
What foods are NOT appropriate for the diet?
Foods and drinks that are not recommended as part of a white diet:
- Dark beverages such as tea, coffee and red wine. Although tooth enamel looks smooth, the surface of the teeth has many imperfections and "pits" that can trap the pigmentation of dark beverages.
- Fruit juices and carbonated drinks-even if they appear "clear"-fruit juices and carbonated drinks with high acid content-even clear fruit drinks and clear carbonated drinks can erode tooth enamel, creating a rougher surface that is more prone to staining.
- Deep-colored condiments will cause staining of teeth - Dark, deep-colored condiments that will cause staining of teeth include soy sauce, brown sauce, tomato sauce and balsamic vinegar.
- Candy and dark chocolate can stain teeth. The staining effects of colored candy and dark chocolate can be seen on the fingers, lips and tongue. Teeth are equally susceptible.
- Colorful foods such as curries, sweet and sour foods and beets. The pigmentation present in these foods has a clear staining effect on pots, pans and dishes used to cook and serve food - teeth are equally susceptible to staining.
Smokers are also advised to avoid smoking for at least 48 hours as part of their diet after a teeth whitening procedure. Tobacco can leave yellowish stains on teeth that are difficult to remove. Nicotine patches and other over-the-counter products, can help smokers avoid cigarettes during this recommended 48-hour period.
Tooth stains - what causes staining?
Any food or drink that has the ability to stain clothing also has the ability to stain teeth. The substances that cause staining are called "chromogens" (which means "generating color"). This means that although the substance may be transparent in appearance, there is a high probability that other pigments will attach to the chromogen on the teeth, resulting in staining. A white diet aims to avoid any chromogenic substance (such as the tannin found in tea).