Teeth Whitening 101: Does It Hurt?

Let’s be real with each other for a second here, the truth of the matter is, almost everyone would give anything to have the picture-perfect and pearly-white smile. Before you decide to do teeth-whitening procedure, there is one crucial question that most people often find themselves asking: Does it hurt? Will I feel anything? Can I eat right after? Don’t worry though as we are always ready to take you to the depths of all the facts and elaborate on every question within this article, written in an alluring, ‘high-school-mag’ like tone that’s meant to make you fall in love with the information for the whole of the time. 😄

Is Teeth Whitening Painful?

Okay, let’s break it down for you: teeth whitening is one of the procedures that may not hurt that much, but in some instances may cause a little bit of discomfort which goes away quite fast.

It is the same as eating ice cream when it is too cold; a very sharp sensation on the sensitive areas of the mouth and then gone before you can even realize how it happened. For some people, there’s literally zero sensation; but for others, it’s just the slightest “ouch” for a few days when taking cold water.

Now, what causes this can be summed up as follows:

• How sensitive your teeth already are
• The type of whitening treatment you are getting (in-office treatments tend to be stronger than those you would purchase over the counter)
• Whether or not your enamel is thin or worn down

How Long Will My Teeth Hurt After Whitening?

If after the procedure you experience some sensitivity or discomfort, do not worry as it usually lasts for just 24 to 48 hours max.

During this time of your body trying to adjust to a newly idealized smile, you might do the following to your best abilities:

• Stay away from super hot or cold drinks, or else get sad about your teeth being sensitive again. ☕🧊
• Use a tooth paste that is meant to help with sensitivity, like Sensodyne, in the mornings and at night.
• Absolutely avoid all acidic or citrusy foods, otherwise be prepared for your teeth to suffer yet again.
• As good as it may be, avoid brushing your teeth right after doing whitening as this simply adds to the torture. Plus, do we use toothpaste or is it something else?.

Bonus tip: Lema Dental Clinic located in Istanbul is among the few clinics in the world that uses advanced whitening systems that ensure a minimum amount of pain is felt and protect the enamel of your teeth. So, if you are a resident of this beautiful city or just visiting and ever hear that.

Can I Eat After Teeth Whitening?

Yes, indeed, but if you do not bother to consider the questions of what to eat and what food not to, it might be futile. After a tooth whitening procedure, it is highly advised to treat your precious pearls like your favorite new shoes after torrential rain—they have a greater tendency to get stained with any unsuitable edibles. Therefore, it’s imperative to give the teeth time to recuperate, it’s better to follow some restrictions on your diet to avoid whitening’s negative effects on your teeth.

• Plain pasta
• Chicken
• Rice
• Cauliflower
• White fish
• Bananas
• Milk & yogurt

To enjoy eating yet protect the whiteness of your teeth, here are foods and drinks that are safe to consume. Stick to a plain diet for the first couple of days after having your teeth whitened, or, in other words, consume plain-colored foods that are likely to have the same color as your teeth and hardly stain them. Because anything that is dark in color or is likely to make a mark should be off-limits, then these foods are the go ahead for teeth that have just been whitened in a dental clinic.

What to Avoid Like the Plague:

• Coffee, tea, red wine
• Berries (yep, even your beloved strawberries)
• Soy sauce
• Ketchup
• Colored sodas
• Curry or tomato sauce

Conversely, because you love something does not mean that you should have it. Firstly, within these first two days, it is a good idea to avoid any foods that could potentially stain teeth. Coffee, tea, red wine, and dark-colored fruits are some of the offenders you should beware of when consuming after whitening. Tomato or curry sauce, carbonated drinks.

Final Thoughts: Smile Bright, But Smart 😁

Teeth whitening is one of the easiest ways to level up your smile—but like anything glam, it needs a little aftercare. Don’t stress about the pain—it’s minor and temporary. Just plan your post-whitening meals wisely and protect your glow!

And if you want whitening that actually works and doesn’t leave you wincing in pain, go pro. Trust clinics like Lema Dental Clinic to get the job done right—with results that last and sparkle like a red carpet grin. 💎✨