You’re riding pretty high after your teeth whitening. You feel a sense of confidence that’s been missing. You feel like the embodiment of the phrase “pearly whites.” Maybe you want to celebrate by stopping and picking up your favorite food after the procedure, but before you do so, you need to know what to steer clear of for several days to keep your smile looking beautiful. Here is a list of foods and beverages you’ll want to bypass, as well as some alternatives you may enjoy.
Coffee
Coffee has several things working against it when it comes to your dental health. First, it’s an acidic drink, meaning it eats away at the enamel that protects your teeth from decay. Secondly, it’s a dark drink, so it’s not doing you any favors keeping your teeth bright and white. And lastly, its hot and cold properties may produce a newfound, unpleasant sensitivity in your teeth after whitening.
Instead of coffee, try a clear herbal tea instead to get your caffeine fix with lower risks of staining.
Red Wine
For some, unwinding with a glass of red wine when they get home is a daily ritual. Unfortunately, red wine is also one of the number one culprits of tooth staining. You’ve likely noticed these qualities in your smile after enjoying a glass – now imagine it immediately after teeth whitening! Not only that, but the grapes in wine also make it an acidic beverage, and acid is an agent of tooth decay.
A white wine option won’t stain as much, but abstaining from alcohol for the first few days after treatment is the best alternative.
Soda
Everything we love about soda, dentists hate: the sugar, the bubbles and fizz, that lovely dark hue! Soda is never good for your teeth, especially after having treatment like teeth whitening done. If you’re having a craving, a good alternative might be a club soda with a straw to drink through to bypass your teeth.
Tomato Sauce
If you’re thinking of ordering up a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, think again – the redness of the sauce coupled with the acidity of the tomatoes makes this dish an especially bad choice after teeth whitening. Just think of the damage it’s done to your own clothes or a toddler’s face!
Rather than spaghetti, opt for pasta with white sauces, like alfredo.
Foods Containing Dyes
Some of our favorite treats, like popsicles, sports drinks, and candy, have food dye in them. Your teeth are extra susceptible to staining after whitening treatment, so any foods or drinks that contain dyes, whether they’re artificial or natural (even carrots, beets, spinach), should be avoided for a few days.
What You Can Eat and Drink
Now that we’ve gone over all the don’ts, let’s talk about what you can enjoy after teeth whitening. In general, you’ll want to stick to a “white diet” of lightly colored or uncolored foods that are not too hard, sticky, or crunchy, including:
- Proteins like white fish, chicken, turkey, tofu, and egg whites.
- Carbohydrates like white rice, white bread, and peeled potatoes.
- Fruits and vegetables like bananas, peeled apples, pears, white onions, and mushrooms.
- Dairy like white cheese, plain yogurt, and milk.
After several days, you can begin to reintroduce these foods into your diet, but remember to keep brushing and flossing daily to keep your newly brilliant teeth looking great!
About the Dentist
Dr. Mark R. Guillory has been a dentist for more than 20 years. A graduate of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Guillory has also pursued state-of-the-art training at renowned organizations like the Carl Misch Implant Institute and the Las Vegas Institute. If you’re interested in brightening your smile, Dr. Guillory and our team at New U Dentures & Implants have in-office and take-home treatments that are designed to prevent sensitivity and are guaranteed to make your teeth match your restorations. Make your appointment today on our website or call our Cleveland office at (281) 592-6398.