Food that can stain a white shirt can stain your teeth. People want long-lasting results when they have a teeth whitening procedure at their dentist’s office. But how long you will maintain the effects of teeth whitening largely depends on your diet. Dentists recommend patients consume foods and drinks that contain little or no pigments. Your teeth are even more vulnerable to staining after a whitening procedure. Therefore, you should avoid colored foods for the first few days.
What not to eat after your teeth whitening session? Let’s find out!
Factors involved in discoloration of your teeth
Before we jump straight to our topic, let’s talk about the factors involved in darkening your teeth.
Three factors are involved in teeth staining: acids, tannins, and chromogens. If food has these factors, it can stain your teeth’ enamel, the outer layer of the tooth.
Let’s look at what foods you should avoid after a whitening session. Remember, this is a brief sacrifice for only 48 hours after your treatment. But this can ensure you maintain the lasting effects of a beautiful white smile.
What foods to avoid after a teeth whitening session
Here’s the list of foods that can discolor your teeth after the treatment.
- Coffee – If you are a coffee lover, this might be tough for you. If you can’t avoid it, make sure to add milk to your coffee to reduce its staining effects. However, it’s advisable to avoid drinking coffee for 48 hours after your treatment.
- Red wine – Red wine can stain your teeth. What’s more, it contains acid that can weaken your enamel, making it more susceptible to staining.
- Tea – Dark tea can stain your teeth more than what coffee can do. However, if you can’t avoid it completely, make sure to add milk to reduce its staining effects.
- Tobacco – Refrain from consuming tobacco after your whitening treatment. You can use nicotine patches to fight the craving.
- Chocolate – Sweets and chocolates can stain your teeth. Make sure to avoid them altogether after your teeth whitening session.
- Fruit and fizzy drinks – Soft drinks are highly acidic. Not only can they stain your teeth, but they also damage your enamel.
- Colored fruits – Fruits such as blueberries, cherry, and others can stain your teeth, so please avoid them for the first few days after your treatment.
- Curry – It can stain your teeth the same way it stains your pans and pots. Ensure not to eat it for 48 hours following a teeth whitening treatment.
Follow a White Diet
A white diet is a diet that contains only non-pigment foods. White rice, dairy products, cereals, crackers, bread, potatoes, pasta, bagels, ice cream, pretzels, potato chips, chicken and fish, white wine, and baked goods are all on the list of foods that contain little or no pigment.
Conclusion
Teeth whitening procedure is a wonderful treatment that can give you a brighter smile and boost your confidence. But for lasting results, what you eat after the treatment matters most. Only consume non-pigment foods and avoid colored foods and drinks for the first few days after your treatment. This can help you keep a brighter smile for a long time. For more information, we welcome you to contact the dental office in Pasadena, TX
