Teeth whitening is a popular procedure that can restore brightness to a smile. When you do decide to have your teeth whitened, it is not a permanent fix. So, it’s important that you do everything you can to maximize the longevity of your results. One thing you can do is avoid the following dark-colored foods and beverages to prevent tooth staining.
Need your morning caffeine fix? You’re not alone. Unfortunately, coffee is one of the most common causes of tooth staining. Dentists recommend waiting at least 48 hours after teeth whitening before consuming dark foods or liquids. If you simply can’t resist, sip through a straw to minimize the effects.
For some people, a glass of red wine is a nice way to relax after a long day at work. However, like coffee, red wine is a leading cause of tooth staining. To preserve the whitening effects, avoid that glass of red for as long as possible after whitening.
Other colored beverages to avoid are dark soft drinks, tea and juices for several days after getting teeth whitened. Colored juices such as grape juice, tomato juice, cranberry juice and orange juice may stain your teeth. You can drink clear or white drinks.
Although dark chocolate tastes delicious and is a potent antioxidant with a variety of health benefits, it can still ruin a newly whitened smile. You don’t need to cut dark chocolate out of your diet completely. Just avoid it for the first week.
Foods that have dark sauces should be avoided in the short term after teeth whitening. Tomato sauces, stews, soy and marinades all can cause significant staining. Ask your dentist how long you should avoid these foods.
There are also food types that should be avoided after teeth whitening to prevent sensitivity and pain. The bleaching agents used in whitening treatments temporarily weakens tooth enamel making them sensitive to acidic foods and drinks. Oranges, lemons, limes, pickles, soft drinks, etc. can increase the acidity of your saliva which in turn can harm your teeth.
Teeth may also be sensitive to cold temperatures for up to 36 hours after a whitening session. To minimize pain from temperature, avoid cold foods and drinks such as ice water, ice cream, and other frozen desserts. You might want to only consume items at room temperature or warmer.
Everyone wants to have a dazzling, white smile. Avoiding these foods will help you keep your teeth white.
