How Long After Home Teeth Whitening Can I Drink Tea?
If you’ve recently brightened your smile with a home teeth whitening kit, you’re likely eager to maintain those pearly whites. That’s why you’re here, wondering, “How long after home teeth whitening can I drink tea?”
Undergoing at-home teeth whitening can be more time-consuming than a single in-office visit. Instead of a quick appointment, you’ll use trays and gel for approximately two weeks. Throughout this period, your teeth remain vulnerable to additional staining if you consume substances like tea. To achieve optimal results, it’s advised to steer clear of foods and drinks known to stain teeth for the entire two-week duration.
If you decide to drink tea during this time, avoid eating or drinking tea for at least 30 minutes after removing the trays and finishing the whitening session.
It’s also best to switch to less stain-capable teas during this time and also use a few simple measures to prevent teeth staining.
Are There Teas That Are Less Likely to Stain Teeth?
With its high tannin content, black tea is commonly believed to be the chief culprit behind tooth staining among tea types.
If you plan to continue drinking tea between your home whitening sessions, consider switching to other types of tea for this time. Fortunately, there are alternative teas with reduced tannin content that are less prone to causing unattractive tooth stains.
Green teas, for example, often contain fewer tannins and thus won’t stain your teeth as much as black tea does. Similarly, white teas contain relatively few tannins and can be a great tooth-friendly alternative. Herbal teas like rooibos, peppermint, and ginger typically have lower tannin levels and are less likely to result in stains.
How to Prevent Teeth From Staining Again After Home Teeth Whitening
Having white, stain-free teeth can make you feel confident and attractive. But after a home teeth whitening treatment, the last thing you want is for your teeth to stain again! Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to prevent your teeth from staining again after a home whitening treatment:
- Consider whitening toothpaste while brushing twice daily – this will help combat any minor surface discoloration caused by frequent consumption of dark-colored teas.
- Rinse with water after drinking dark beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, or sports drinks. The pigments in these drinks can linger on teeth if they’re not washed away quickly enough.
- Use a straw when drinking beverages like coffee or tea to direct them away from the surface of your teeth.
- Add milk to your tea to reduce its effect on your teeth. Milk has proteins that are known as caseins which work to bind with the tannins present in tea. This binding action helps reduce the likelihood of tannins sticking to teeth, which can otherwise lead to staining.
- Choose lighter teas, such as green or white teas, over darker ones, like black, which have more tannins that can discolor teeth over time if you consume them regularly.
Following these steps should help keep your smile looking bright and white for a long time after a home whitening treatment – so don’t let stained teeth bring down your confidence!
Conclusion
Teeth whitening can help enhance your self-esteem and make you feel more attractive. With the right home teeth whitening kit, you can achieve stunning results in just two weeks – but it’s important not to eat or drink tea for at least 30 minutes after whitening sessions.
For best results, avoid drinking tea altogether for the entire period when you have your whitening sessions. If it’s not possible, consider switching to less staining teas and taking measures to prevent your teeth from staining during this time.
