Post-Teeth Whitening Treatment Guide Part 2: What Foods and Drinks To Avoid After Teeth Whitening

We are back with our much requested post-teeth whitening series in which we are covering every frequently asked question about teeth whitening that we get from our patients and friends at Solterra Dentistry.

In part one of our post-teeth whitening treatment guide we covered teeth sensitivity and what we can do to avoid the pain and tingling sensation that can come with a teeth whitening procedure. In this article we will cover what kinds of foods we should and shouldn't eat in order to maintain those sparkly whites that we just put in so much work for.

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How long after teeth whitening can I eat?

Do the time it takes to finish up your whitening appointment you can usually eat right after you’ve had your teeth whitened, but as always follow what Dr. Manov and Dr. Gubernick advise during your appointment as each case can vary. When you do go to eat after your teeth whitening appointment, be sure to avoid the foods listed below and if you use tobacco products try and avoid them for at least 24 hours.

Foods that make your teeth susceptible to staining:

Red Wine:

Red wine is an easy culprit to identify staining on your teeth due to the chemical makeup of wine. The acidity and dark colors make it an easy way to stain your teeth. We recommend staying away from red wine if you want to keep those sparkly whites!

Black Tea:

Dark Teas is worse in terms of teeth staining than coffee! The tannins that are released when brewing coffee will quickly cling onto your enamel and leave you with stained teeth if not properly cared for. We recommend limiting your tea intake if you are worried about staining your teeth.

Coffee

While less harmful to the shade of your teeth than tea, coffee’s acidity and dark color can also stain your teeth. While we certainly understand how important that morning cup of joe can be, we recommend avoiding it for 24 hours after your teeth whitening appointment.

Dark Fruits:

Due to the acidity and strong dark colors in dark fruits such as blackberries, if consumed too often they can stain your teeth! We recommend staying away from them temporarily if you are gearing up for an event or photos.

Dark Condiments:

Condiments such as soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and even inconspicuous and fancy condiments such as a fig jam can all stain your teeth! Try to avoid them when possible.

Tobacco Products:

Lastly, as we all know, tobacco products are bad for your teeth! In all forms from chewing tobacco to cigarettes and cigars, tobacco is a powerful tooth stainer. For your health and your smile’s sake, please try and avoid tobacco products when possible.

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What to eat after teeth whitening procedures:

In general, after teeth whitening procedures we want to capitalize on the fact that we removed surface stains and prevent those surface stains from reappearing. To do that we recommend gravitating towards these kinds of foods:

Poultry

White Fish

White bread and pasta

Bananas

Yogurt

Eggs

Potatoes

Water

Milk

Tonic Water

Sparkling Water

Coconut Water

Final Thoughts:

In today's day and age, having white teeth has become a social norm. We are constantly taking photos, video-chatting with relatives and even doing video conference calls for work. It has never been so common that we see our own reflection so consistently and that means we want to appreciate what we see. Scientifically speaking, having a great smile is one of the first things that people notice and is something we associate with our appearance so make sure you do everything you can to maintain great oral health, not only for your own well-being but so that you can feel confident in your smile!