What to Eat After Professional Teeth Whitening

As you age, your teeth can lose their natural brightness. Years of eating and drinking can stain your teeth and destroy their whiteness.

Having your teeth whitened can significantly improve your smile. And once you have a brilliant smile, you want to keep it that way for as long as possible.

Avoiding certain drinks and food will help you prolong your beautiful smile. Dr. Boukadoum at 54th Street Dental provides an overview of foods and drinks you should avoid after your teeth whitening treatment.

Why your teeth become dull

Your teeth can develop two types of stains:

Extrinsic
Intrinsic

Extrinsic stains discolor the outer layer, or surface, of your enamel. Intrinsic stains go beyond the surface and build up within your tooth enamel.

Dentin, the innermost layer of your teeth, can show both types of stain. Your tooth enamel thins as you age, which also is a reason your teeth discolor.

Good oral habits can slow the discoloration process. But if you want to have a truly white smile, you should have your teeth professionally cleaned and whitened periodically.

Teeth whitening treatments

Over-the-counter products can harm your gums and teeth and can take several weeks to show minor results. A professional teeth whitening treatment, however, often takes only one hour and produces much better results.

Different teeth whitening treatments work on different types and severity of stains. That’s why determining the severity of the stain is key to your treatment. Dr. Boukadoum uses several methods to whiten your teeth, and she can discuss these options with you.

Avoid these foods

Once you have your Hollywood smile, you want to keep it bright white. You may not be able to avoid staining foods totally, but you can at least limit eating things that will discolor your teeth.

Try to avoid or limit eating dark foods, including:

Blueberries
Marinades and tomato sauce
Ethnic foods (Spanish and Indian)
Soy sauce
Dark soups
Brown or wheat bread
Dark chocolate

Your enamel is weaker for a short time after teeth whitening, and your teeth are more sensitive and vulnerable. To be cautious, limit how much fruit you eat because fruit acidity can erode the chemicals we use to whiten your teeth. Bananas are OK.

Broccoli and mushrooms can cause discoloration, too.

Dark and acidic drinks can discolor teeth

After we’ve whitened your teeth, avoid drinking dark beverages and acidic, sugary drinks. Beverages, especially coffee and red wine, are the biggest culprits. Other fluids to avoid are: