Whether to remove stains, blend implants with your original teeth, or touch up an already stunning smile, teeth whitening treatments bring full brightness and beauty to your mouth. Such treatments provide comprehensive color changes that can last for years, but only if you take proper care of your teeth after the procedure.By keeping to the following dietary tips for the first two days, you can preserve the health and color of your teeth, keeping them beautiful for the long haul.
How Long Do You Have to Watch What You Eat After a Teeth Whitening?
One of the first questions we get after a teeth whitening procedure is how long do you have to watch what you eat? In general, you must be careful about what you eat during the first 48 hours after whitening, as your teeth are especially porous during this period, making them vulnerable to damage and discoloration. Please make sure to consult with your dentist for a more detailed timeline for after your teeth whitening.
Temperature Tenacity
One of the simplest ways to avoid damage and discoloration is to eat only foods that are room temperature. After your teeth have been bleached, they will be highly sensitive to hot or cold items, causing you pain and raising the risk of damage. Readers Digest has reported that up to 78 percent of people experience increased sensitivity after their whitening procedure. By sticking to room temperature foods, however, you will minimize the threats to your teeth while keeping your mouth as comfortable as possible.
What You Can Consumer After a Teeth Whitening
Beyond the temperature of the foods you eat, you should also pay attention to their color and acidity. As a rule of thumb, any food or drink that will leave a stain if you spill it on a white shirt will also stain your newly whitened teeth. The better you avoid foods with strong pigments for the first 48 hours, the more effective you will be at maintaining your newly brightened smile.
Foods You Can Eat after a Teeth Whitening:
In general, you will want to stick to relatively plain foods, such as:
- Skinless Poultry with minimal seasoning
- White fish
- Potatoes with skins removed
- French fries
- Plain potato chips
- Plain pasta with white sauce
- Plain cereals, preferably soft
- Cauliflower
- Rice
- White cheeses
- Egg whites
- Crustless bread
- Bananas
- Low or non-fat Yogurts that do not contain fruit
- Tofu
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Peanuts
- Chickpeas
- Crackers
- Pears
- White cheese
- Apples
Things You Can Drink After a Teeth Whitening:
In addition to foods, you should also opt for plain drinks including:
- Still Water
- Sparkling Water
- Tonic Water
- Coconut Water
- White Lemonade
- Skim Milk
- Clear Alcohol
- White Wine
Foods to Avoid Eating After Teeth Whitening:
Eating the following foods can lead to your teeth becoming strained right after you have your whitening procedure:
- Berries
- Soy sauce
- Fruit juices
- Tomato sauces
- Pizza
- Chewing Gum
- Jams and Jellies
- Carrots
- Citrus Fruits
- Spinach
- Chorizo
- Ketchup
- Syrup
- Curry
- Flavored Chips
- Vinegar
- Butter and Margarine
- Peas
- Candy
- Chocolate
Drinks to Avoid After Teeth Whitening:
- Red wine
- Coffee
- Tea
- Colored alcoholic drinks
- Soda
- Beer
- Energy Drinks
- Sports Drinks
While ideally you should limit yourselves to the foods and drinks listed above, many people have trouble completely restricting their diets in this way. It is okay to eat some foods and drink some beverages that are not on this list, but you should stay clear of items with especially strong pigments.
Other Pieces of Advice for After Your Teeth Whitening
Besides sticking to plain, room temperature foods and evading strong pigments, you should also be aware of the following:
Collect Calcium
Calcium strengthens your teeth, helping them to recover from the mild irritation they experience during whitening. Because milk and most cheeses are light in color, they should not have any negative impact on appearance.
Check the Crunch
Contrary to popular belief, you do not necessarily have to avoid crunchy foods during this period, so long as those foods promote dental health. Celery, raw cauliflower, and green and yellow apples all help to clean your teeth while having little pigment, making them good choices.
Take Care with Toothpaste
Use only white toothpaste immediately after a whitening, and do not use mouthwash.
Avoid Tobacco Products
Tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, and chew tobacco will yellow your teeth.
For more information on how to keep your teeth healthy and beautiful after whitening, contact Shine Dental today!