Teeth whitening can give your smile a dazzling new look, but keeping it bright takes a little extra care. After your treatment, your tooth enamel is slightly thinner and more susceptible to staining. To protect your results, you’ll need to avoid indulging in certain foods and drinks for at least 48 hours—and possibly a little longer. Continue reading to see some specific eats you’ll want to skip to keep your smile looking its best after teeth whitening.
Coffee
It’s no secret that coffee can leave stubborn stains on your teeth. After whitening, your enamel is more absorbent, making even a single cup of coffee risky. The dark pigments and tannins in coffee cling to enamel and dull its brightness.
To get through this short period and protect your smile, brush your teeth thirty minutes before you take your first sip. You can also try drinking your java through a straw to minimize contact with your teeth.
Red Wine
Many people enjoy unwinding after a hard day with a crisp glass of red wine. Unfortunately, it’s one of the worst offenders when it comes to tooth stains. Its rich color comes from chromogens and tannins that can easily penetrate your pearly whites. The acidity in wine can also weaken enamel, making the discoloration worse.
For now, switch to white wine or sparkling water for a tooth-friendly alternative that won’t dull your newly whitened smile.
Dark Berries & Vibrant Fruits
Blueberries, blackberries, and cherries are packed with natural pigments that can darken your teeth after whitening. Even pomegranates and red grapes are packed with enough vibrant color to lower the brightness of your grin.
Do you still need the naturally sweet satisfaction that fruit can bring? Opt for light-colored fruits like bananas, green apples, or pears until your enamel recovers. Who knows, you might enjoy exploring some other tasty options!
Processed and Dyed Snacks
Sometimes your sweet tooth can get the better of you and you reach for comfort foods like snack cakes. However, many of these ultra-processed foods, including chips, pastries, popsicles, and cereal are full of food dyes that give them a distinct color. When you chew on these products, the dye clings to your pearly whites and can leave them (and the rest of your mouth) discolored.
If you can’t shake your sweet cravings, consider making your own snacks from scratch. This way you can control what goes into them, including the amount of sugar and staining substances.
Brightening your smile with a professional teeth whitening treatment is the easy part of the process. Now that your teeth are perfectly white, you’ll need to put in a bit of work to keep them pristine. As long as you stay aware of what goes into your mouth and continue to brush and floss every day, your results should go the distance!
About the Author
Dr. Alberto J. Lamberti is truly passionate about creating glowing grins for his patients. He earned his dental doctorate from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and continued to build on that foundation with advanced training. Through innovative technology and techniques, he offers dental care that can turn your smile from a source of stress to a work of art! Call (561) 338-7535 to schedule a teeth whitening consultation at Alberto J. Lamberti DMD or visit our website to explore other services.