How to Rehydrate Teeth After Whitening

You’ve always wanted bright, white teeth. You’ve tried whitening toothpaste, over-the-counter teeth whitening products, and products you’ve ordered online, and you still haven’t received the results you’ve been looking for. Now you are going to get your teeth professionally whitened, and you will have the pearly whites you’ve dreamed of! However, it is important to know what happens during the whitening process and how to rehydrate teeth after whitening. 

Whitening Process

The whitening process doesn’t create just whiter teeth; it removes surface stains and deep-set stains within the tooth structure. The whitening gel is made of a bleaching agent that contains hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. The in-office treatment contains a higher percentage, about 30% more, of the bleaching agent than an in-home kit. This is also why there is a significant cost difference between the two treatments. Knowing how to rehydrate teeth after whitening is an important part of a healthy dental regimen. 

Why Teeth Get Dehydrated

The tooth is porous, like a sponge, which is how the bleaching agents are able to enter through the enamel of the tooth to reach the deep set-in statins. The tooth’s porousness is also how stains make their way into the deeper layers of the tooth. This is how coffee, tobacco, red wine, dark berries, or juice will stain your teeth over time. The hydrogen peroxide to eliminate these stains is a crucial ingredient in the whitening process. This component helps to open the pores of the tooth. As the whitening gel goes into your tooth layers, the stains are then broken down and pass out through the widened pores. It also raises the level of the tooth’s internal temperature, which will eliminate any moisture inside the tooth. This process can cause the tooth to become dehydrated. 

Did you ever wake up in the morning and notice white spots on your teeth? The white spots are caused by dehydration. If you slept with your mouth open, the saliva in your mouth dried up, leaving your teeth dry as well.  

Dehydrated teeth can also lead to tooth sensitivity. The sensitivity is due to the fact that the dehydration disables the tooth’s ability to protect the nerve from temperature changes. This is why drinking something hot or cold will cause a stinging sensation or sharp pain. Our article, “How To Help Sensitive Teeth After Whitening,” breaks down tooth sensitivity issues after whitening and gives tips on how to relieve and reduce the sensitivity after the whitening process.

Dehydration, after whitening or other reasons, is, fortunately, a temporary problem. It usually takes between 2 to 7 days to rehydrate your teeth, but there are some ways to help reduce the dehydration and sensitivity that comes along with it.  

How to Rehydrate Teeth After Whitening

If you already have sensitive teeth or are concerned about the sensitivity that comes with the whitening process, ask your dentist about post-whitening fluoride treatments. This not only helps with sensitivity but can also help prevent re-staining in the long run. 

It is important to keep a clear diet for at least 24-48 hours to rehydrate teeth after whitening. Do not eat or drink anything extremely hot or cold. Our previous article, “What To Eat After Teeth Whitening,” will give you more detailed information on what you should and shouldn’t eat or drink. 

Keeping hydrated is also crucial. Your saliva is filled with essential nutrients that help rehydrate teeth naturally. When you aren’t adequately hydrated, you won’t make as much saliva—drink room temperature water through a straw to help with the sensitivity issues. 

Conclusion

At Falcon Dental Care, we pride ourselves on patient care. If you look at our Falcon Dental Reviews, you will see that we are dedicated to our patients’ care before, during, and after treatment. We want to make sure our patients are informed and educated about each procedure they have with us. This includes simple in-office treatments like teeth whitening. We will consult you and give you the best treatment options available for your smile as well as offer tips to use to help rehydrate teeth after whitening. If you live in the Falcon Colorado area and are interested in getting your teeth professionally whitened, please contact our office. We can’t wait to help you reach your smile potential.