Post-Op Instructions for in-­office Opalescence^® Teeth Whitening

Congratulations! Your teeth are going to continue to whiten for the next 48 hours

The enamel of the teeth becomes increasingly dehydrated after the professional whitening treatment and they act as a sponge and absorb anything you put in your mouth, that is why we ask you to refrain from the following for 48 hours after your whitening appointment:

⮚⮚ Avoid the following:

⮚⮚ Tobacco products

⮚⮚ Coffee and/or tea

⮚⮚ Lipstick

⮚⮚ Red meat (steak / hamburger)

⮚⮚ Cola or Colored soft drink

⮚⮚ Berries 

⮚⮚ Curry

⮚⮚ Beetroot

⮚⮚ Red wine

⮚⮚ Red or Brown sauces

⮚⮚ Mustard

⮚⮚ Tomato Sauce

⮚⮚ Grapes or any fruit with color

⮚⮚ Soy sauce

i.e. Avoid anything that would stain a white shirt

Teeth whitening is a long term process, not a one-­‐time procedure or a quick fix. To enjoy a whiter smile, maintenance is required in order to keep the teeth white. To help maintain your white smile:

• Avoid staining related habits/foods/drinks

• Brush twice daily and floss once daily

• Use of an electric toothbrush

• Attending regular professional dental check-ups and cleans to maintain oral health, minimizing staining and utilizing whitening toothpaste for touch-­ups when required (once every 2-3 months for no more than 2-3 weeks at a time, then switch back to regular non-whitening fluoride toothpaste).

• Applying the Take-Home Whitening Gel in your Custom-Made Trays to

continue the whitening process or to freshen up your brightness every 3-­6 months to achieve ongoing results. Additional syringes of Take-Home Whitening Gel are available for purchase from one of the receptionists.

• If you feel Professional Take-Home Whitening is not convenient, Opalescence^® in-office Whitening appointments can be scheduled again with Dr. Polymeris at Newbridge Family Dentistry at 6 month to 1 year intervals as required.

Fade-­back:

Please Note: 3 – 4 days following the Opalescence^® teeth whitening procedure, you may experience “fade back” – where your teeth may fade back 1–2 shades as they rehydrate.

Sensitivity:

• Some patients experience sensitivity such as “zingers” or thermal sensitivity 12-­‐48 hours after teeth whitening

• You have been provided with a syringe of  desensitizing relief gel which will help the teeth during a sensitive episode. See Instructions below.

• You are also advised to take any type of over-­the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as Ibuprofen or Advil if needed. Do not exceed 3000mg within a 24 hour period. The smallest effective does should be used; consult a GP for full prescribing information, warnings and conditions.

• Sensitive toothpaste such as Sensodyne can be used for the next few weeks to help reduce the sensitivity.

Lip/gum/cheek inflammation/burn:

Sometimes, despite following whitening protective protocols, areas of soft tissue may be exposed to direct contact with the whitening gel, resulting in a chemical burn. During the procedure the clinician will have removed the excess gel and placed Vitamin E Oil to help soothe the affected area.

After the procedure, the inflammation or burn is usually temporary and subsided in a few days, but may persist longer and result in significant pain or discomfort depending on the degree to which the soft tissues were exposed to the gel. This is why it is important to adhere by the clinician’s instructions carefully on the day.

To care for any area that is causing irritation, you will be provided with Vitamin E Oil to apply at home, after your appointment if needed. Apply Vitamin E Oil or gel several times a day. If the area is painful, consider taking ibuprofen tablets (if indicated as safe for your personal use by your medical GP and at the correct dosage).

If the burn doesn’t show improvement within a few days, or if you have any concerns, please contact the office for further evaluation..

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us at (516) 783-6333.