Congratulations! If you have just undergone professional teeth whitening you now have the bright, radiant smile of your dreams. Now the next step is to make some minor adjustments to your diet so you can preserve those pearly whites for the long-term. In the first few days after whitening, your teeth can be especially susceptible to staining. A good rule of thumb to follow is: if a food or drink can stain a white shirt, then it can stain your teeth as well. For some concrete examples of food and drinks to avoid after teeth whitening in Newark, continue reading below.
Why You Should Avoid Black Coffee and Tea
Grabbing a strong cup of joe in the morning may be part of your everyday routine, but black coffee is one of the worst drinks when it comes to staining your teeth. Black coffee and black tea particles are easily trapped in the microscopic pores and ridges of tooth enamel, and their dark coloration can create permanent yellow stains.
If you don’t think you can survive the morning without coffee, at least drink it quickly and through a straw to minimize the amount of liquid that comes into contact with your teeth. Rinse your mouth out with water after you are done drinking coffee, or better yet, brush your teeth.
Think Twice Before Pouring a Glass of Merlot
A nice glass of merlot may make a lovely pairing with your dinner, but red wine should be avoided in the initial days following your teeth whitening. Red wines contain tannins, a compound that binds to teeth and makes it easier for stains to set in. In addition, red wine is highly acidic, which wears away at your teeth’s enamel. If you fancy an alcoholic beverage, stick with a clear alcohol drink, like a gin and tonic.
Grab a Banana, But Avoid Many Other Fruits
Even though they are part of a balanced diet, you should avoid many types of fruits immediately after teeth whitening because they can prematurely stain your teeth. The acid from acidic fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits and many berries breaks down tooth enamel and makes teeth more susceptible to stains.
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!
Stay Away From Dark Sauces
Italian food is easy to love, but you will have to say “ciao!” to pasta dishes if you want to keep your teeth looking bright. Dark sauces like tomato sauces and curries common in Indian and Southeast Asian cuisines are both highly saturated in color and acidic – meaning they are double trouble for your newly-whitened teeth.
Cold Food and Drinks Can Hurt
Your teeth may be sensitive to cold food and drinks for the first one to two days after teeth whitening. Ice cream, cold flavored drinks or even ice water may cause some discomfort to your mouth. You may be better off drinking room-temperature drinks and avoiding frozen treats, at least until your tooth sensitivity disappears after a few days.
By avoiding these foods and drinks after getting your teeth professionally whitened by a cosmetic dentist in Newark, you can help your bright new smile remain dazzling for years to come.
About the Practice
White Clay Dental Associates offers high-quality, comprehensive dental services to families and individuals in the Newark community. Each year, they help patients brighten their smiles using customized, professional grade take-home whitening kits. If you want to learn more about how the team at White Clay Dental Associates can help you achieve the white smile you have always wanted, visit their website today or call the office at +1 302-731-4225.
FAQs
Dark fruits and vegetables are richly infused with pigments that can stain your teeth. For this reason, after teeth whitening treatment, avoid ones such as blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, grapes, pomegranates, carrots, purple cabbage, beets, and dark, leafy greens such as spinach.
What should you avoid after teeth whitening? ›
Foods and Drinks to Avoid After Teeth Whitening
- Wine. Both red and white wines can be harmful to the color and enamel of your teeth. ...
- Coffee & Tea. ...
- Soft Drinks. ...
- Candy & Chocolate. ...
- Dark Fruits. ...
- Fish, Chicken, & Tofu. ...
- Rice, Bread, & Pasta. ...
- White Cheese & Yogurt.
When the dentist whitens teeth, your teeth can become sensitive to different foods that can stain. After 24-72 hours, you can resume your regular diet. The following are the things that you need to avoid after teeth whitening. Sugary foods can irritate your teeth and trigger the bacteria responsible for causing decay.
Are bananas ok 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!
Can I eat scrambled eggs after teeth whitening? ›
Eggs (preferably scrambled, so the bright yolk pigments aren't as harsh on your teeth)
What helps teeth after whitening? ›
Steps to Take after Your Teeth Whitening Treatment
Avoid hot and cold foods and drinks – Your teeth will be most sensitive during the first 1-2 days after your treatment. Make sure to avoid foods and beverages that are either very hot or very cold during this time. Instead, choose room temperature foods and drinks.
Do teeth turn yellow again after whitening? ›
The level of whitening obtained depends on the bleaching agent's concentration in the gel and how often you use the strips. Results can last for several months, but over time, factors like diet and oral hygiene may cause teeth to regain some of their original color gradually.
How long does it take for teeth to heal after whitening? ›
But, there is no need to get panic. This discomfort will disappear shortly, and you will get healed in 1-2 days following the Teeth Whitening Treatment in Pasadena.
What not to eat after teeth whitening gel? ›
Foods to avoid after teeth whitening
- Citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, oranges or grapefruits.
- Tomatoes.
- Pineapples.
- Pickled foods, such as sauerkraut or pickles.
- Processed meats.
However, it's still advisable to wait at least 24 to 48 hours after the whitening procedure before consuming coffee, even with a straw, to allow your teeth to fully settle and rehydrate. Following this initial period, using a straw can be a practical way to enjoy coffee while maintaining the brightness of your smile.
Light-colored fruits and vegetables are great sources for the white diet. Fruits such as bananas, apples, and pears and vegetables such as cauliflower, potatoes, and mushrooms are good for your teeth and your overall health.
What to drink after teeth whitening? ›
But we understand that people might not want to only drink water. For other drinks, milk, apple juice, green tea and clear soft drinks (like Sprite) are all safe on your teeth. If you want to be very careful, using a straw can avoid direct contact with your teeth to avoid irritation.
Are crackers ok after teeth whitening? ›
If you crave a snack after teeth whitening, you can do so as long as you stay with foods like original potato chips with a white dip, saltine crackers, pretzels, fruits like apples, bananas, pears, and light-colored non-acidic varieties, and white cheese sticks.
What fruit whitens your teeth? ›
Strawberries, watermelon, and dairy products may help whiten your teeth. These foods contain compounds with lightening properties. Pineapple and papaya also have proteolytic enzymes that dissolve stain-causing proteins on your teeth.
How long after teeth whitening can I have strawberries? ›
It's important to note that after having your teeth professionally whitened, you should wait before eating certain items that could cause staining or damage newly bleached enamel; this includes hard food items such as nuts or candy for several hours after treatment; soft foods such as berries or tomato sauce should be ...
Can you brush your teeth after getting them professionally whitened? ›
Immediate Aftercare: Wait for at least an hour after the whitening procedure before brushing. This time allows your enamel to recover without causing any sensitivity. First 24 Hours: For the initial hours after whitening, avoid brushing to give your teeth time to settle.
Can I drink coffee after professional teeth whitening? ›
According to dentists, any drink with color, especially things like coffee and soda, can negatively impact teeth whitening after treatment, which is why we do not recommend drinking any substance with coloring for 48 hours after a whitening treatment.
What are the dos and don'ts during teeth whitening? ›
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.
Congratulations! If you have just undergone professional teeth whitening you now have the bright, radiant smile of your dreams. Now the next step is to make some minor adjustments to your diet so you can preserve those pearly whites for the long-term. In the first few days after whitening, your teeth can be especially susceptible to staining. A good rule of thumb to follow is: if a food or drink can stain a white shirt, then it can stain your teeth as well. For some concrete examples of food and drinks to avoid after teeth whitening in Newark, continue reading below.