Whiter teeth for the silly season: when to book and what to eat

Christmas parties, work drinks, weddings, long lunches and more photos than the rest of the year combined: the silly season is when a lot of us start noticing our smile. If you'd like whiter teeth before the celebrations start, a little planning goes a long way.

Here's when to book your teeth whitening, what to eat and drink afterwards, and how to keep your smile bright right through summer on the Sunshine Coast.

When to book

Our in-chair teeth whitening takes less than an hour, so you don't need weeks of lead time for the treatment itself. It's the timing around it that matters:

  • Give yourself a buffer before the big day. Any sensitivity usually settles within 24–48 hours, and you'll want to follow the white diet for that same window. Booking at least a few days to a week before an event means you're not tiptoeing around the canapés.
  • Don't book the day before a party with red wine on the menu. Freshly whitened teeth pick up stains more easily for the first day or two.
  • Need a dental check-up first? If you have any concerns about your oral health, we recommend seeing your dentist at least two weeks before whitening, so factor that in.
  • Book early for December. The weeks before Christmas fill quickly. Keep an eye on our socials for holiday trading hours.

Weddings: whether you're the bride, groom or part of the bridal party, aim for one to two weeks before the day. That leaves time for any sensitivity to settle and for you to see your final shade before the photographer arrives.

Thinking about brows or lip blush for summer too? Cosmetic tattoos need a 4–8 week treatment plan, including a touch-up, so book those well before the whitening. See our brow tattoo options for details.

The white diet: what to eat in the first 24–48 hours

After whitening, the pores of your enamel are open and more likely to absorb stains. That's why we recommend the white diet for 24–48 hours. An easy rule: if it would stain a white shirt, avoid it.

Good to go:

  • Water, sparkling water and milk
  • Chicken, turkey and white fish
  • White rice, white pasta and white sauces
  • Potatoes (no skin), cauliflower and cottage cheese
  • Bananas and peeled apples

Best avoided:

  • Tea, coffee, colas, energy drinks and acidic juices
  • Tomato and red sauces, curries, pickles and beetroot
  • Berries, and coloured fruit and vegetables such as carrots and capsicum
  • Green vegetables like broccoli and spinach
  • Chocolate, coloured lollies, and rye or dark bread
  • Butter and margarine

Party drinks: what's safe to sip

Got a Christmas party within 48 hours of your appointment? Stick to the lighter options.

  • Lower-staining choices: vodka, gin, white wine and champagne
  • Skip for now: red wine, stout or dark beer, dark spirits and coloured cocktails or mixers

Good news for Christmas lunch: turkey and chicken are on the "yes" list. Save the cranberry sauce, chocolate and berry-topped pavlova until after the first 48 hours.

A few other tips: avoid very hot or very cold drinks, which can make it easier for stains to settle in, and swap tinted lip balm for a smudge-proof lipstick so colour doesn't transfer to your teeth.

Keeping your smile bright through summer

Whitening results aren't permanent, but with good habits they can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. To stretch them out:

  • drink coffee, tea and iced drinks through a straw where you can
  • cut back on red wine and smoking, both of which can reverse results
  • keep up your regular brushing, flossing and dental check-ups
  • book an annual top-up session to maintain your shade

For more on the process and how long results last, read professional teeth whitening in Mooloolaba: what to expect.

Book before the calendar fills up

Teeth whitening at A Fine Line Cosmetic Tattoo is $299 for a one-hour session, and most clients see their teeth lighten by 5–14 shades. It isn't suitable if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, or under 16. Full details are on our teeth whitening page.

Ready to sparkle this silly season? Book your teeth whitening online and we'll see you at our Mooloolaba studio.