Temporary Pain and sensitivity following teeth whitening is common. You may be sensitive to cold drinks and air, usually the pain will go away within 24-36 hours.
It is important not to consume any colorants in the first 24- hours following the procedure. Anything that colors such as red wine, dark colas, coffee, tea, red sauces, soya sauces and smoking must be avoided.
Following the whitening procedure an instant lightening is usually seen in most cases. However rebound is not uncommon. On an average during the first month there may be loss of one shade unit, another shade unit during the next 6 months and another shade unit during the subsequent six months. Everyone responds differently, so your rebound effect may be less or greater than the averages stated above. Rebound means that after about two years your teeth may have returned to the color prior to bleaching.
Rebound MUST be managed, this is achieved through any combination of:
- Careful diet control avoiding high colorants,
- Meticulous oral hygiene,
- Using a whitening toothpaste
- Using home bleaching trays,
- Annual repeat of the in house teeth whitening.