Foods and Drinks to Avoid After Teeth Whitening
Whether you’ve whitened your teeth using take-at-home whitening devices, whitening pens, or strips or gone the extra mile and invested in professional in-office teeth whitening sessions, you want to ensure that your investment lasts for as long as possible.
It's important to remember that not everything we eat or drink is kind to our teeth. To maintain that radiant smile, one must be aware of the different foods and drinks to avoid after teeth whitening that can stain or harm your newly brightened teeth. And we've got your back with a delightful list of smile-approved foods and beverages to enjoy right after your whitening treatment.
Here, we’ve made a list to help you get the most out of your whitening treatments and maintain your results for longer.
What Foods and Beverages Should I Avoid After Teeth Whitening?
As a rule of thumb, everything that could stain a white shirt should be avoided after teeth whitening sessions. The bleaching agents will temporarily make the enamel or tooth surface porous as they continue to penetrate the tooth and break down stains. During this period – which usually takes 24-72 hours the teeth are highly susceptible to staining and sensitivity.
1. Dark Colored Beverages
Teas, coffee, and wine (of all colors) contain tannins, which are substances that help stains stick to the tooth surface and penetrate into its pores. Moreover, dark-colored sodas contain highly staining colors that could easily alter your newly whitened teeth.
If it’s a no-way to avoid these drinks, consider adding milk to your coffee to reduce its staining impact, and opt for iced drinks and used straws to reduce their contact with your front teeth.
2. Acidic Foods and Beverages
Even if it’s healthy as oranges, green apples, lemons, limes, grapefruits, grapes, or pineapples, etc., they can all be not a good option temporarily after teeth whitening. The acids can easily penetrate the porous enamel, causing teeth sensitivity.
Also, carbonated drinks and wine are considered acidic drinks and may cause sensitivity as well as stains.
3. Dark Colored Foods
Tomatoes, berries, beets, cherries, pomegranate, and sadly, our favorite bar of chocolate are all guilty of staining our teeth, making us look for teeth whitening options in the first place. Also, multiple food condiments should be avoided in the first 24 hours after your teeth whitening treatment. Here’s a list:
- Tomato sauces
- Dark soups
- Turmeric drink (Golden Milk)
- Soya Sauce
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Curry
- Hot sauces
4. Sugar Loaded Treats
Consuming refined sugar found in cookies, cakes, chocolates, and ice cream are highly attractive to bacteria, including the bacteria responsible for staining the teeth. They contribute to the weakening of the enamel and eventually lead to decay. While your teeth are more sensitive and porous right after the treatment, it’s better to avoid these sugary treats for some time.
5. Tobacco
Besides its significant health compromising issues, smoking also affects teeth and gums. I’m sure you’ve heard “smoker’s teeth” before. Smoking and tobacco cause greying and staining of the teeth, which will risk your newly shining teeth.
But it’s not that you’re not going to eat! We hear you wondering. Here’s a list of a “White Diet” you can safely enjoy and eat. And remember that it’s not permanent. You only need to be extra careful during the first 24-72 hours after your treatment.
What Can I Eat After Teeth Whitening?
- Chicken without the skin
- White rice
- Pasta with white sauces
- Bread
- Potatoes, preferably peeled
- Cauliflower
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Egg whites, preferably avoid the yolk as it’s colored and could stick to your teeth
- Bananas
- Raw watery vegetables, i.e. cucumbers, lettuce, white cabbage, peas, zucchini, etc.
Following the instructions and avoiding stains and acids for the first 24 hours after your in-office or at-home teeth whitening treatments will help you maintain your brightest smile for a longer time. And having a handy option at your fingertips as GLO Gel Pods for quick touch-ups after a cup of coffee will maintain your bright smile for even longer.
Check out our variety of handy products Here.
