{"id":146,"date":"2025-02-04T19:49:02","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T19:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newusmiles.com\/blog\/?p=146"},"modified":"2025-04-25T19:49:18","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T19:49:18","slug":"foods-to-avoid-after-teeth-whitening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newusmiles.com\/blog\/2025\/02\/04\/foods-to-avoid-after-teeth-whitening\/","title":{"rendered":"White Out: Foods to Avoid After Teeth Whitening"},"content":{"rendered":"
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You\u2019re riding pretty high after your teeth whitening<\/a>. You feel a sense of confidence that\u2019s been missing. You feel like the embodiment of the phrase \u201cpearly whites.\u201d 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\u2019ll want to bypass, as well as some alternatives you may enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Coffee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coffee has several things working against it when it comes to your dental health. First, it\u2019s an acidic drink, meaning it eats away at the enamel that protects your teeth from decay. Secondly, it\u2019s a dark drink, so it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of coffee, try a clear herbal tea instead to get your caffeine fix with lower risks of staining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red Wine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019ve likely noticed these qualities in your smile after enjoying a glass \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A white wine option won\u2019t stain as much, but abstaining from alcohol for the first few days after treatment is the best alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019re having a craving, a good alternative might be a club soda with a straw to drink through to bypass your teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomato Sauce<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re thinking of ordering up a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, think again \u2013 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\u2019s done to your own clothes or a toddler\u2019s face!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than spaghetti, opt for pasta with white sauces, like alfredo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Foods Containing Dyes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019re artificial or natural (even carrots, beets, spinach), should be avoided for a few days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What You Can Eat and Drink<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that we\u2019ve gone over all the don\u2019ts, let\u2019s talk about what you can enjoy after teeth whitening. In general, you\u2019ll want to stick to a \u201cwhite diet\u201d of lightly colored or uncolored foods that are not too hard, sticky, or crunchy, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n