5 Things to Avoid After Whitening Your Teeth (2024)

FAQs

What should you avoid after whitening your teeth? ›

For 48 hours after a professional teeth whitening, it's recommended that you avoid acidic, pigmented foods and beverages and stick to things that won't cause discoloration. This is commonly called the “White Diet”, a short-term diet consisting of white and light-colored foods and drinks.

Don't Consume Foods that Can Stain Your Teeth

For both over-the-counter and professional teeth whitening, the first few days after treatment are the most critical. Avoid dark foods/liquids, drink through a straw when you can, don't smoke, brush/floss frequently and you should be looking great.

After 24-72 hours, you can resume your regular diet. The following are the things that you need to avoid after teeth whitening.

Teeth can become temporarily dehydrated after using whitening strips. Your teeth may appear more yellow as a result of this dehydration because the enamel may become dry and lack moisture. Dehydrated enamel sometimes has a transparent appearance that makes the naturally yellowish dentin underneath visible.

Once the pores close, which usually happens within 24-48 hours after the procedure, you can resume your normal habits.

Continue using a desensitizing toothpaste – Brushing with a desensitizing toothpaste and/or applying a desensitizing gel for the first 48 hours after your whitening procedure will help you cope with any sensitivity you may experience.

After you whiten your teeth with Philips Sonicare teeth whitening products, acidic or staining foods and drinks are more easily absorbed by your teeth. This can lead to discoloration, and this why it is advised to wait 30 minutes after whitening before eating or drinking.

Should You Brush Your Teeth After Using Whitening Strips? The answer is yes – brushing your teeth after using teeth whitening strips is an essential part of the process. Brushing teeth after using teeth whitening strips helps to remove any excess whitening agent and also helps to reduce teeth sensitivity.

Rinse With Water Immediately After Eating Or Drinking

One of the most important things you can do after a teeth whitening session is to rinse your mouth with water immediately after eating or drinking. This helps to remove any leftover particles from your food or drink that could stain your newly whitened teeth.

Breakfast. Consider having eggs preferably scrambled to ensure the bright yolk is not as harsh on your teeth. You can have a bagel with cream cheese or butter but avoid jams and jellies. Non-sugary cereals with milk or plain and vanilla flavored yogurts or banana smoothies are also helpful.

Can I eat bananas after teeth whitening? ›

Dark fruits such as blueberries and dark fruit juices like grape, tomato and cranberry should also be avoided because of their powerful staining ability. Bananas, however, will not stain your teeth – so do not hesitate to grab a second one of these tropical fruits!

Professional teeth whitening is a great investment to improve the appearance of your smile and boost your self-confidence. However, it's important to understand that your teeth are especially susceptible to discoloration and staining immediately after teeth whitening.

Fortunately, there are ways of making your yellow teeth white, from improving your oral hygiene and diet to visiting the dentist and having them professionally whitened. There's no need to feel ashamed of your smile anymore.

How Long Does It Take Yellow Teeth To Turn White? If you opt for at-home products like dentist-recommended whitening toothpaste and brush twice daily, results can be seen in two to six weeks. There are many types of whitening toothpaste, and their effects can vary.

As for whether you should brush your teeth after using whitening strips, there is no definitive answer. While some experts recommend brushing immediately after removing the strips to ensure all residue is removed, others advise waiting for 30 minutes to allow the enamel to rehydrate and minimize potential abrasion.