What Should You Avoid Eating After Teeth Whitening?

Getting your teeth professionally whitened at your dentist’s office is a great way to achieve the most radiant smile possible. But how does your diet affect the longevity of your teeth whitening results? This blog will discuss foods to avoid and foods that are safer for your beautiful white smile after a professional teeth whitening appointment.

2 Min Read:

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Your smile is a calling card to the world of your joy. Most people want a bright, confident smile. There are different methods of teeth whitening. One popular method uses peroxide solutions to break down stains on the teeth. The peroxide is able to break down the chemical compounds that make up the stains. As a result, your teeth are better able to reflect light, making them appear whiter. Other natural approaches to teeth whitening include non-toxic take-home whitening strips by Lumineaux®. 

Why Do You Need to Watch What You Eat After Teeth Whitening?

After you have your teeth whitened, your enamel is temporarily more porous. This means that foods with dark or bright colors or pigments can more easily stain your teeth. In order to maintain the results of your professional teeth whitening, you should opt for foods that are white or pale-colored. 

How Soon After Teeth Whitening Can I Drink Coffee?

For best results, it’s recommended that you stick to this diet of light-colored foods for about a week, avoiding highly pigmented foods for at least three days after your whitening treatment.

That means your morning cup of coffee must be postponed for at least three days for best results. If you cannot go without it, use a straw—at your own risk!

What Foods Should You Avoid After Tooth Whitening?

When it comes to foods to avoid, this includes any food that is bright or dark in color. You also want to avoid foods that are acidic or high in sugar because your teeth are sensitive in the days following a whitening treatment, and you will need to protect them from decay and erosion. Here are some examples of foods to avoid and why:

• Coffee and tea: acidic and darkly pigmented
• Red wine: acidic and darkly pigmented
• Carbonated drinks: high in sugar and acid
• Dark fruits, like blueberries, cherries, and  pomegranates
• Artificially colored candies: sugar and bright pigments
• Any kind of chocolate: sugar and pigments
• Spices like turmeric, paprika, cinnamon: bright pigments
• Soy sauce and foods containing it: dark pigment

Essentially, the closer to white your food can get, the better. One week will fly by, but you’ll enjoy the results of your teeth whitening treatment for months if not years!

Interested in Teeth Whitening in Riverside, CA?

If you have questions about teeth whitening, it’d be our pleasure to help you. Schedule a consultation by calling or filling out our online contact form.