Whether you choose a convenient take-home kit or a treatment at your dentist’s office, professional teeth whitening can yield amazing results. Unfortunately, however, while both methods can remove up to eight shades of discoloration faster and safer than those storebought kits, these changes won’t last unless you protect your smile. In fact, your teeth are especially vulnerable to re-staining within the first few days after treatment, which is why your dentist recommends you maintain a “white” diet during that time.
Here are some foods you should avoid immediately following teeth whitening, and a few favorites that are completely safe to enjoy!
What to Avoid after Whitening
While a white diet may seem bland, the great news is that you’ll be able to expand it soon. In the meantime, plan on keeping it on the mild side for the first two or three days after your whitening treatment. If you are using a take-home kit, be sure to follow these guidelines during treatment, too.
- Dark beverages: Coffee, tea, juice, cola, sports drinks, and even red wine can leave behind dark deposits of color on your teeth, especially when your enamel is soft following whitening. Thankfully, you’ll only need to avoid them for a few days; however, consider avoiding them altogether, as they are often some of the most common culprits when it comes to stains.
- Colorful fruits and vegetables: Although it’s still essential to eat your fruits and vegetables no matter what your teeth look like, it’s best to avoid anything that would stain a white shirt for the first few days after treatment. Put a temporary hold on the blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and carrots to protect your results. Furthermore, avoid anything too acidic, as your teeth may be sensitive for a few days, too.
- Artificial dyes: Artificial dyes are everywhere: rainbow cereals, lollipops and hard candies, and red velvet cake. Though they may appear in some dietary favorites, they won’t do your newly whitened teeth any favors. Thus, be sure to hold off on these options for a few days, and if you’re planning to attend a special event like a wedding that will be serving a vibrantly colored cake, schedule your whitening at least two weeks before the big day.
- Vibrant sauces: Curries, soy, and tomato-based sauces can liven up any meal, but they can also discolor your teeth. Thus, stick to salt, pepper, and other spices for now and avoid any staining sauces for a few days.
White Diet Ideas
Now that you know which foods you should temporarily avoid following teeth whitening, here are a few that are safe to enjoy without the risk of discoloring your smile!
- Proteins such as eggs, chicken, white fish, and pork.
- Milk, cheese, or plain yogurt.
- Noodles without sauce.
- White potatoes.
- Cream of wheat or plain oatmeal.
- Water.
Remember, professional whitening has the amazing ability to remove up to eight shades of stains and discoloration from your teeth in as little as an hour, but if you’re not careful, it is possible to re-stain them. Thus, to avoid undoing your incredible results and make the most of your stunning smile, be sure to eat a white diet for two or three days following your treatment.
About Our Practice
At Beacon Dentistry of Weatherford, our talented trio of dentists are here to help you achieve your oral health goals. Whether you need a preventive check-up and cleaning, restorations, or are interested in improving your smile with a cosmetic treatment like professional whitening, we’ve got a variety of options to help. To schedule a consultation for either take-home or in-office whitening, visit our website or call us today at 817-594-7302.