Everybody loves a bright smile, which is why teeth whitening has been a popular procedure for decades. Once you’ve had your teeth whitened, it makes an immediate difference in your smile, which is another reason it’s a standard treatment for teeth discoloration. However, your teeth are prone to discoloration or staining right away, making it essential to keep them in a pristine condition for as long as possible.
As your teeth will be more sensitive post-whitening, you’ll have to take extra precautions. That includes avoiding some beverages and foods for a set time while your freshly whitened set adjusts. Here’s a list to keep in handy:
1. Dark-Colored Drinks
Although drinks like milk and water are perfectly fine to drink, you’ll want to stay away from deeper colored beverages after a teeth whitening procedure. These drinks include red wines, coffee, dark sodas like Coca-Cola, and tea. You’ll also want to avoid dark-colored juices like tomato juice, orange juice, and cranberry juice just to play it save. When you do drink, make sure to minimize contact with your teeth by using a straw.
2. Cold Foods and Beverages
Your teeth are most likely in a sensitive state right after the whitening procedure, especially towards cold temperatures. You’ll want to avoid consuming cold beverages and foods for 2 to 3 days, so keep away from the fridge in the meantime. That means avoiding ice cream, cold water, and frozen desserts. Once the three days are up, you’re free to eat as much ice cream as you want. However, if the sensitivity continues, make sure to visit your dentist.
3. Foods That Stain
Some foods are notorious for darkening teeth even when you don’t undergo a whitening procedure, so imagine the damage they can do to freshly whitened teeth! Unfortunately, these are foods you’ll want to keep away from for a long time if you want your teeth to remain white.
Staining foods include blueberries, dark chocolate, soy sauce, stews, tomato sauces, dark marinades, and beets. That also means you may have to stay away from Indian and Spanish cuisine, as they tend to use curry and tomato sauces in their dishes.
4. Acidic Foods and Beverages
Although your pearly whites are now whiter than ever, they’re now more sensitive to foods and beverages that are highly acidic. If you consume them, you’ll likely feel pain and discomfort while drinking or eating. These foods include many fruits like pineapples, oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. Sodas and vinegar are highly acidic as well, so you’ll want to keep away from them.
What You Can Eat After a Teeth Whitening Procedure
As your teeth are especially sensitive at this time, it seems like there’s a long list of food and drinks you aren’t allowed to touch. Luckily, there are still plenty of foods you can enjoy with your newly whitened teeth. These include egg whites, white cheese, white fish, and white carbohydrates like pasta, rice, and bread. As you may have noticed, they’re all pale in color. They won’t impart any stain on your teeth, making them safe to eat.
Conclusion
Having a radiant smile is everyone’s dream, and a teeth whitening procedure will get you one step closer. However, you’ll have to take extra care of your teeth, or you’ll risk staining it all over again. By staying away from these foods and beverages, you’ll enjoy your pearly whites for several years to come!
If you’re looking for teeth whitening in Ann Arbor, visit us at Dental House! We are a dental practice whose goal is to provide you with a radiant, healthy smile. Our services include preventive dentistry, dentures, cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, and so much more. Make your next dental appointment with us today!
