Avoid These Foods If You’ve Just Had Your Teeth Whitened

If you’ve just undergone teeth whitening, you’re probably feeling pretty thrilled to have unlocked a brighter smile—and with these whitened teeth come unparalleled confidence and a considerable boost to your self-esteem! However, it would be a shame for your results to become compromised sooner than expected because you simply couldn’t help but eat or drink something known to cause tooth discoloration. Here are a few things you should be certain to avoid if you’ve recently gotten your teeth whitened!

5 Foods You Should Avoid After Teeth Whitening

Despite whatever’s sitting in your fridge and no matter what your cravings are, there are certain foods and beverages that you should steer clear of in the immediate days following teeth whitening. Here are five notable items:

#1. Coffee

If you’re a regular coffee fiend, it might be tough to give up that daily cup of Joe—however, coffee can easily stain your teeth whether you’ve just undergone whitening or not, and it’s certain to tarnish your pearly whites post-treatment if you don’t hold off for at least a little while.

#2. Red Wine

Like coffee, red wine is one of the most important items to avoid after teeth whitening. Though a glass of wine is a great way to unwind, and red wine itself has impressive cardiovascular and longevity benefits, it’s still one of the most staining beverages out there. In fact, you should avoid drinking alcohol altogether following teeth whitening treatment.

#3. Tomato Sauce

Tomato-based sauces are everywhere, found in things like pizza, pasta, and ketchup-dunked French fries; however, they stain pretty much anything they get on, whether it’s your T-shirt, your face, or your teeth. The vibrant red color is certain to undo the progress made during teeth whitening treatment!

#4. Acidic Fruits

Fruits such as pineapples, lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits should all be avoided following whitening treatment. These items are all acidic, which means they can weaken your enamel and cause heightened sensitivity.

#5. Blueberries, Blackberries, & Other Dark-Colored Fruits & Veggies

Acidic, citrusy fruits aren’t the only ones you’ll want to avoid, though; anything dark enough to stain a white shirt will stain your teeth, meaning there are several other kinds of fruit that aren’t worth indulging in. This most notably includes blueberries and blackberries, but also includes things like grapes, cherries, and pomegranates. Even dark-colored vegetables—beets, purple cabbage, and spinach, while healthy, are worth avoiding too.

Tips for Keeping Your Smile Shiny & Bright

When it comes to maintaining your whitening results, it’s not just about avoiding foods that cause staining—it’s also about maintaining great oral hygiene and making sensible choices. Here are some tips you should consider:

• Stick with foods and drinks that are white or lighter in color; things like plain yogurt, oatmeal, low-fat milk, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, rice, bananas, etc. are all excellent options.
• Maintain superb oral hygiene; your smile won’t stay bright if you fail to do so! Brush twice a day, floss daily, and rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash before heading to bed.
• When you return to drinking dark-colored beverages, consider using a straw to minimize the amount of contact between the liquid and your teeth. You should also aim to finish these drinks quickly, rather than sipping them over time.
• If you smoke or use tobacco, kick the habit—it’s certain to cause staining.
• Continue visiting your dentist for routine preventive care; they’re a great resource for maintaining your beautiful results!

About the Practice

Studio City Dental Arts has proudly served the dental needs of patients and families in the Studio City, CA area for several years under the talented leadership of Dr. Proshat Shahrestany. If you have any questions about the blog, or you’d like to schedule a visit for you or a loved one, feel free to contact the practice online or over the phone for assistance. Telephone: (818) 760-0200.