Foods That You Should Avoid After a Professional Teeth Whitening Procedure

Teeth Whitening Aftercare: How To Keep Your White Smile

Many people think that a teeth whitening procedure is all you need to have a brighter smile. However, the aftercare of this procedure is just as important. One of the best things you can do to keep your smile white and shiny is to avoid certain foods and drinks that are famous for staining your teeth. 

But, with so many foods and drinks out there, how can you know which ones aren’t the best for your newly whitened teeth? Keep reading below to find out the answer according to a Glendale teeth whitening dentist.

Stick To The “White Diet” For 48 Hours

Your teeth become more porous after a professional whitening procedure, and the dentin layer becomes a bit exposed as well. That’s why you should avoid acidic, pigmented food and beverages for 48 hours after the procedure. 

Dark-colored foods and beverages are more easily absorbed into your teeth after a whitening process, causing discoloration within a few minutes. By following a “White Diet” for the following 48 hours, you can limit the number of pigments that touch your teeth, at least until the sensitivity disappears. 

The “White Diet” is only a short-term word based on eating white and light-colored beverages and foods (for example, soft bread, white cheese, greek yogurt, etc.).

What Foods Should I Avoid After The Procedure Is Done?

• Coffee & Tea

Tea, coffee, soda, and other dark-colored drinks cause a lot of tooth staining, and they may even be the main reason why you got your teeth whitened. 

It may be difficult to avoid your morning coffee for 48 hours, but it’s the best you can do to avoid getting your teeth stained right away. Besides, you don’t want to visit the Arrowhead dentist again only to “retouch” your process after a few hours. 

Grape juice is another drink you should avoid after a teeth whitening process because it also has dark pigments that stick on the surface of your teeth, leading to long-lasting stains. 

If you cannot avoid drinking these beverages, try to do it just a few times a day, and drink with a straw. Also, rinse your mouth out with water as soon as you finish drinking your coffee, tea, juice, or soda. 

• Acidic Foods Or Beverages

You should also avoid acidic foods if you have had your teeth whitened. Remember that your enamel is sensitive and slightly weakened, so acidic foods may weaken your enamel. In fact, it can cause more pain or sensitivity while eating, so stay away from them for a while. 

Some acidic foods you can avoid are citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, grapefruits, limes, strawberries), tomatoes, pineapples, pickles, and processed meats. 

• Dark-colored Foods, Including Fruits

Dark-colored veggies and fruits are also a big “no-no” after a teeth whitening process. Do not forget that any food with a dark color is strong enough to stain your teeth, especially if these foods can easily stain a white shirt. 

You can ask your North Phoenix dentist for more details on which foods to avoid, but generally speaking, you should avoid berries, grapes, carrots, beets, cherries, and dark leafy greens like spinach. 

• Wine

Have you seen your smile after drinking a glass of red wine? It often looks purple-hued, so imagine what a glass of red wine can do to post-whitening teeth. Avoid drinking red wine as it has dark pigments that cause stains. 

Red wine is often the first thing to avoid, but do not forget about white wine either. White wine may be lighter in color, but it can also damage your already weakened enamel, so you should also avoid drinking it. 

• Candies & Chocolates

It’s not a secret to anyone that refined sugars are the main enemies of your teeth. They lead to erosion and discoloration, so be sure to avoid any source of refined sugar after a teeth whitening process. This includes chocolate and colored candies. 

What Foods Can I Actually Eat?

Not everything is bad news! There are certain foods that you can eat after having your teeth whitened. As the “White Diet” name implies, try to eat white-colored foods and low-acidity drinks, at least for 48 hours. 

You can always ask a Teeth Whitening Dentist in Peoria for more specific information in your case, but to help you a little, this is a shortlist of some foods you can eat while following the “White Diet”:

• Tofu
• Chicken
• Bread
• Rice
• Pasta
• White Cheese and yogurts
• Bananas
• Cauliflower

Contact an Arizona Teeth Whitening Dentist

Are you looking for the best solution to a bright smile? Whether you are looking for dental implants, teeth whitening procedures, or any other dental service, come to Aesthetic Dentistry of Arrowhead to get your teeth proper care. 

Call or email Aesthetic Dentistry of Arrowhead now to schedule your visit!