What Can I Eat and Do After Teeth Whitening?

When a person has stained or yellowed teeth, it can be embarrassing to smile. This can inhibit someone from moving forward with work and social situations, such as job interviews and parties. Teeth whitening is a fast, painless way to eliminate or lighten stains on the teeth. In just one or two treatments, the patient can appreciate a brighter, whiter smile. While the treatment is a simple process, it is important to know what you can eat and do after teeth whitening.

Going to the dentist’s office is the smartest way to get optimum results. While there are at-home teeth whitening treatments, they often fall short of the person’s expectations. Plus, a dentist has access to top quality products and laser light for sparkling results. The process often takes only a half-hour or hour to achieve notable changes.

And going to a dental office means aftercare will be explained to the patient. People who try to whiten their teeth at home often do the wrong things after the treatment. This can cause staining to teeth that are vulnerable after the whitening process.

Foods to Avoid 24 Hours After Teeth Whitening Treatments

There are certain foods to avoid for the 24 hours after getting teeth whitening treatments. Dark drinks that stain the teeth should be avoided, such as red wine, tea, and coffee as well as red or dark fruit juices. Fruit can also stain the teeth, other than bananas, which are alright to eat. Sauces should be avoided including tomato sauce, soy sauce, and red meats. Also avoid berries, such as raspberries and blueberries, that are known to stain teeth.

Behaviors to Avoid After Teeth Whitening Treatments

While it is essential to watch what you eat for the 24 hours following a teeth whitening treatment, there are also behaviors to avoid. Smokers should not light up a cigarette or cigar within the 24 hours after a treatment as it will stain the teeth.

Often smokers get teeth whitening and smoke after the treatment then wonder why their teeth still look dingy. It is best to quit smoking altogether to have whiter teeth. Plus, do not use colored toothpaste for a day after teeth whitening. Stay away from toothpaste and mouthwash with a red or blue hue.

What Can I Eat and Do After Teeth Whitening?

Because teeth whitening is painless, people can resume work and other normal activities right after a treatment. There are also plenty of food options to choose from during the 24 hours following a whitening treatment. White sauces, plain fish and chicken, plain pasta with butter, white rice, and eggs whites are all alright to eat after treatment.

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The idea is to try to eat foods that are white or clear to avoid staining your teeth. Beverages you can drink include milk and water. If you feel a need to imbibe, opt for white wine or clear alcohol mixed with water or tonic. Make an effort to avoid citrus beverages that can be wearing on your teeth after a whitening treatment.

Recent research has also revealed certain behaviors and foods can keep your teeth whiter for a longer period of time. Firm fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, apples, and green beans, can scrub the teeth while chewing and boost the flow of saliva to neutralize acids in your mouth.

Dairy products with calcium keep teeth stronger and whiter. Try to stay away from colorful berries and foods that stain your teeth. Smokers should quit because tobacco definitely causes staining. With proper care, you can enjoy a white smile long after your treatment is done.

5 Foods to Avoid After Teeth Whitening Treatment

Coffee

Life just isn’t the same without our morning brew, our afternoon pick-me-up or our evening espresso, but you’re better off avoiding coffee after a whitening treatment. Coffee is an acidic beverage, meaning it’s extra caustic to our tooth enamel. The dark color of coffee doesn’t help; drinking coffee is essentially staining our teeth brown with every sip. Try drinking clear herbal tea after a teeth whitening treatment to replace the ritual of drinking coffee. It’s a good idea to take a break from caffeine now and again anyway, and your teeth will be spared coffee’s staining effects in the interim.

Red Wine

We weren’t joking when we said the best foods are the ones that can cause the most stains. You’ve likely experienced the staining power of red wine on your teeth before; after drinking a hearty Cabernet, your smile may have taken on a garnet hue. Drinking red wine might be a fantastic way to unwind (and contains cardiovascular and longevity benefits), but it is also one of the most staining beverages out there. Avoid alcohol altogether following a teeth whitening treatment. Alcohol attacks your tooth enamel with its acidity, and even white wine can leave a noticeable residue.

Soda

Soda, the nemesis of every dentist out there. It’s no wonder; the acidity from carbonation, its sugar content and amber coloring make it a nightmare for newly whitened teeth. If you crave soda, opt for club soda and drink it with a straw.

Tomato Sauce

Tomato sauce stains everything; your clothes, your tablecloths, a toddler’s face and most definitely your teeth. While tomato sauce is a very healthy choice in most respects, it’s not the best choice for your teeth post-whitening. The acidity of tomatoes and their vibrant red coloring leave their mark on whitened teeth. Don’t undo the hard work of your dentist with spaghetti and marinara. A white cream sauce is a better choice to maintain your treatment’s results.

Blueberries

Blueberries: healthy, delicious, and full of antioxidants. However, they also stain the daylights out of everything they come into contact with.

Your whitened teeth are like a blank canvas, and eating blueberries will muddy them up immediately. Blueberries carry plant pigments and are an acidic fruit, which makes them dangerous for newly whitened teeth. Enjoy blueberries a week or so after you undergo a teeth whitening. Until then, apples are the safer fruit choice.

Now, what to eat? Base your diet around these foods to keep your whitened teeth looking their best:

  • Rice
  • Yogurt
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Porridge
  • Bananas
  • Coconut
  • Bread
  • Sushi
  • Deli meats
  • Rice pudding
  • Milk
  • Vanilla-based ice creams

After a few days, you can begin to re-introduce staining foods back into your diet. Indulging in them immediately after treatment, however, will negate your time, effort and money spent getting that amazing white smile. Red wine can wait; your smile deserves it.

We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions so get an appointment today.



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