Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic procedure and is a great way to get a brighter smile. It works by removing stains from tooth surfaces making your teeth appear whiter. But to maintain the results of this treatment, you should avoid certain foods and beverages for a while, as they can stain and discolor your teeth after the procedure.
Keep reading to learn about the food you should eat or avoid after food whitening.
Foods to Avoid After Teeth Whitening
There are foods you should avoid within 24-48 hours after getting your teeth whitened. These foods are notorious for causing stains, and during this period, the teeth enamel is vulnerable to staining. Some of these foods contain tannins, natural plant-based chemicals that stain teeth.
Foods and beverages to stay away from after teeth whitening include:
High-Acidic Foods
They can cause erosion of the newly-whitened enamel, leading to tooth sensitivity or decay. Foods high in acid include citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, and vinegar. Avoid or limit your intake of high-acidic foods for some days to maintain your pearly whites looking bright and healthy.
Alcoholic Beverages Such as Beer and Wine
After the procedure, you may consider celebrating by tossing a glass of wine or a cold beer. But alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine contain tannins that stain your teeth if you consume them immediately after your teeth whitening.
Coffee and Tea
These are two common beverages worldwide. While coffee and tea may not seem like foods that would stain, they contain substances that can stain the enamel. They include tannins, polyphenols, phenols, and other organic acids in coffee grounds and tea leaves.
The whitening process uses a peroxide gel, making the enamel more porous than usual and more prone to staining. It’s why dentists recommend avoiding them after teeth whitening. Avoiding coffee and tea after whitening is one step toward protecting your smile and keeping your newly whitened pearls bright.
Dark-Colored Fruits and Vegetables
Dark-colored fruits and vegetables are essential to a healthy diet, but you should avoid them after teeth whitening. They contain anthocyanins, compounds that reduce the effectiveness of tooth-whitening products.
Research shows that consuming foods high in anthocyanins lessened the whitening effect by up to 50%. So, eating dark-colored fruits and vegetables after teeth whitening can undo the good work. It would be best to avoid them for some days after the procedure.
Tomato Sauce and Soy Sauce
Avoid tomato sauce, soy sauce, and other vegetable-based foods as they contain high acidity levels. It’s a concern because acidity can cause teeth to darken faster. When teeth are exposed to high acidity levels for long periods, it can cause demineralization on the tooth’s surface.
Vegetables such as carrots and celery are also not recommended after the treatment as they contain high oxalic acid levels, which can damage tooth enamel. Tomato sauce can stain teeth permanently. While this may not be common, you should consider it when deciding what foods to avoid for a while.
Starchy Foods Like Pasta or Rice
Starchy foods stain your teeth if you eat them soon after the whitening. The reason is that starchy foods contain compounds called amylases. These enzymes break down starch into sugar, which can cause staining if it gets onto your teeth. The longer it takes to digest the starch, the more this happens.
Dark Berries
Dark berries like blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are delicious but also the worst foods to eat after the treatment. Berries are full of anthocyanins, pigments that give them dark colors. When you eat these berries, the pigment stains stain your teeth, negatively affecting the shade of your teeth.
In addition to staining your teeth, dark berries also contain tannins. Tannins are polyphenols that bind to calcium in saliva, making it harder for tooth enamel to form properly. It makes your teeth look darker and more susceptible to decay.
Spicy Foods
Spicy food increases saliva production in your mouth, helping neutralize acids that cause cavities and tooth decay. But spicy food like turmeric can discolor your teeth. So, avoid spicy foods for at least 24 hours after the procedure.
What Should You Eat After Your Teeth Whitening Appointment?
Now that you know what to avoid, you wonder what to eat. There are plenty of options. After whitening, your teeth are more sensitive to staining than usual. As a result, it’s essential that you only healthy foods that are less likely to discolor or cause sensitivity for at least 24-48 hours.
Here are some food options that you can consider:
White Meat and Fish
Protein-rich foods like chicken, turkey, and fish are great choices. They are low in color pigments and won’t stain. Also, the protein in these foods can help rebuild and strengthen your teeth.
Dairy Products
These foods include cheese, milk, and yogurt. They are good choices as they are low in acidity and can’t erode your enamel.
Water
Water is the best beverage to drink after whitening. Keep your smile sparkling white by consuming plenty of water throughout the day. Water helps wash away food particles that could stain your teeth.
Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing sugar-free gum after meals helps stimulate saliva production, neutralizing acids in your mouth and removing food particles. But choose a brand that doesn’t contain artificial colors that can stain your teeth.
Keep Your Teeth White by Avoiding Staining Food
After the procedure, you should avoid foods and beverages that cause staining and damage your teeth. These include coffee, tea, red wine, colored sodas, berries, and dark sauces. Instead, go for white meat, fish, dairy products, crunchy fruits, water, and sugar-free gum.
It would help to use non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft toothbrush for good oral hygiene practices. Watching what you eat and drink helps keep your teeth looking white and healthy.
Looking forward to teeth whitening procure? Seek professional services for the best results.
