Decades of use can leave stains on the brightest of teeth, especially if you’re frequently consuming foods and beverages that are high in pigments and dyes. Thankfully, your dentist has the tools to make your smile its whitest during an in-office appointment or with a take-home kit. However, your teeth will be especially vulnerable to stains for the first few days after undergoing a whitening treatment. Here are a few foods to avoid after having your teeth whitened.
What Foods and Beverages Can Stain My Teeth After Whitening?
The last thing you want to do after having your teeth whitened is to stain them all over again. A few foods to skip include:
Coffee
Though coffee is one of the most popular beverages on Earth, it contains a lot of acid and pigment. This makes it able to erode and stain the enamel. You might try filling the void by drinking clear herbal tea instead for a while after your teeth whitening treatment.
Alcohol
Alcohol is acidic, making it harsh on your teeth’s enamel. Since your enamel will be slightly thinned following a teeth whitening treatment, you should avoid alcoholic beverages for a few days afterward. Red wine in particular is one of the most egregious stainers of teeth.
Soda
Soda is everything horrible for your teeth rolled up into one beverage. Its sugar, acid, and pigments make it particularly harmful to recently whitened teeth. If you gotta have your daily dose of fizz, go with soda water instead.
Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce is a crucial component of pizzas and pasta everywhere, and while it can be quite nutritious, it is not the gentlest thing on teeth that have recently been whitened. Tomatoes are acidic and vibrantly colored, making them a little too likely to stain your vulnerable teeth. You might stick with having a white cream sauce with your Italian fare for a while afterward.
Blueberries
Frequently found in smoothies, blueberries are delicious, healthy, rich in antioxidants, and likely to stain just about everything they touch. Hold off on these until your teeth have had a chance to recover from the whitening process. Apples are great fruits to snack on in the meantime.
What Foods Should I Eat After Teeth Whitening?
The ideal food after teeth whitening treatment is soft, non-acidic, not too sweet, and low in pigment. A few examples include:
- Scrambled eggs
- Sushi
- Deli meats
- Yogurt
- Porridge
- Bananas
- Coconut
- Bread
- Milk
- Rice
- Rice Pudding
- Vanilla ice cream
A week or so should be enough for your newly whitened teeth to remineralize. You can then begin re-introducing pigmented foods into your diet. Waiting a while to have that glass of red wine can make sure your smile stays white for many glasses yet to come.
About the Practice
Boston Smile Center offers exceptional general and specialty dental services in a comfortable, caring environment in Brookline, MA. Led by Drs. Alan Sasson and Avi Shainhouse, the skilled staff is equipped to go above and beyond when delivering the care you deserve. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening treatments. For more information on taking care of your teeth after whitening, contact the office online or dial (617) 739-1017.