The bleach that it used in tooth whitening opens the pores of tooth enamel to remove stains. Unfortunately, it takes some time for these pores to close back up again. During the first 48 to 72 hours after your whitening treatment, your teeth will be highly vulnerable to staining. To get the most from your whitening treatment, you should abstain from any food or liquid that could stain your teeth, as well as activities such as smoking. (PARTICULARLY bad culprits are coffee and red wine).
Since the bleaching process leaves your teeth slightly porous, acidic, and dark foods can be more easily absorbed by teeth after whitening, which can lead to discoloration. By following a white diet for a few days after your whitening treatment, you will minimize the dyes and pigments that come in contact with your teeth until your enamel becomes less porous. This will help keep them whiter, longer!
Here are some foods and beverages you should avoid for a few days after getting your teeth whitening treatment: (Ideally, 2 weeks, if possible, for optimal protection).
- DRINKS
- Coffee & tea
- Carbonated drinks
- Dark colored fruit juices
- Red wine
- FOODS & SPICES
- Mustard
- Sweets and sticky snacks
- Citrus fruit
- Tomatoes and tomato sauce
- Soy sauce
- Balsamic vinegar
- Beets
- Blueberries, cherries, pomegranates
- Dark chocolate
- Dark marinades and soups
- Curry
- Saffron
- Turmeric
Beverages
- Coffee
It is well-known that coffee stains our teeth. It is highly recommended to avoid drinking coffee for at least 3 days after your teeth whitening procedure. You can sip on some green tea instead during this time.
- Carbonated drinks
Beverages like soda and beer contain high amounts of sugar and acidic properties that can stain your teeth and cause tooth sensitivity. Wes recommend that you not drink these beverages for at least 3-5 days after your teeth whitening treatment. If you absolutely must drink carbonated beverages, it’s a good idea to use a straw to minimize liquid contact with your teeth.
- Dark colored fruit juices
Fruit juices may be full of vitamins, but they also contain high acidity which can lead to tooth discoloration and the increased formation of plaque. As a result, you should avoid drinking dark-colored juices for at least a few days after having your teeth whitened.
- Red wine
Red wine is the leading tooth-staining culprit. The tannins in red wine, are particularly effective at staining teeth intrinsically.
Foods
- Sweets and sticky snacks: Foods like lollipops and gummy bears can stick to your teeth and the dyes in them can cause discoloration. Therefore, it is best that you avoid them for a few days.
- Citrus fruit. Although these fruits are known for their high content of vitamin C, they are also highly acidic, so it’s best not to eat them for a few days after teeth whitening.
- Tomatoes and tomato sauce. The acidity in tomatoes may discolor your teeth or cause tooth sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks. It’s a good idea to avoid eating tomatoes and foods containing tomato sauce for several days.
- Other foods that cause staining. There are several foods that are known to cause staining and should be avoided as much as possible, especially shortly after a whitening procedure. These foods include soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, mustard, beets, blueberries, dark chocolate, and dark marinades and soups. Also, spices (curry and saffron) used in certain cuisines like Indian and Spanish should also be used as little as possible.
Common sense will go a long way toward ensuring the longevity of your results. Stains build up over time in response to prolonged exposure to staining agents. Of course, one glass of wine is not going to cause your teeth to become discolored. However, if you continually engage in the same eating, drinking, and lifestyle habits that caused your teeth to become discolored in the first place, you should not expect your teeth whitening results to last as long as they otherwise would.
If you exercise caution when drinking wine – for example, by not savoring each sip by swishing it around or letting it sit in your mouth before swallowing it, but rather simply drinking it – it won’t come into prolonged contact with your most visible teeth. Brush and floss regularly and be sure to use the touch-up whitening kit we will provide to you, and wine stains shouldn’t threaten your results within the first few years of treatment.
Book Your Teeth Whitening Consultation
We can provide information on the kind of results you can expect from our teeth whitening treatments and help you make an informed choice. We also provide trays and at-home-bleaching kits for follow-up and maintenance use after the in-office procedure.
Call us at 214-956-9100 or contact us online if you have any questions regarding tooth whitening or any of our other cometic procedures.
