Dental advice · February 2026
How to care for your smile after whitening
Whitening opens the enamel's micro-pores temporarily. For about 48 hours your teeth absorb colour more easily than usual — which is exactly why the first two days matter more than the next two months.
The first 48 hours
Avoid anything that would stain a white shirt:
- Coffee, black tea, red wine and cola
- Tomato sauce, curry, soy sauce and beetroot
- Dark berries and fruit juices
- Smoking — the worst offender by a distance
Stick to water, milk, white fish or chicken, rice, pasta without red sauce, and plain yoghurt. If you must have coffee, drink it through a straw and rinse with water afterwards.
If your teeth feel sensitive
Mild sensitivity for a day or two is normal and not a sign anything went wrong. Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth for a week, avoid very hot and very cold drinks, and brush gently with a soft brush. If sensitivity is sharp or lasts more than three days, message us — that is worth checking.
Keeping the result
Most people hold a good result for one to two years with normal habits. Rinsing with water after coffee, cleaning between teeth daily, and a professional cleaning twice a year do more for longevity than any whitening toothpaste on the shelf.
One caution: whitening does not change the colour of crowns, veneers or composite fillings. If you have visible restorations at the front, we will plan the shade together before whitening rather than after.