4 Foods to Stay Away from Right After Your Whitening Treatment

Teeth whitening in Charlottesville is a quick, affordable, and popular way to dramatically improve the appearance of your smile. The results can even last for a year or more! However, that’s only if you care for your pearly whites properly. It’s especially important to watch what you eat and drink right after having your teeth whitened if you want to maintain your results. Here are four things you should avoid right after having your teeth whitened and what you should eat instead.

Coffee, Wine, & Soda

Are drinks like coffee, wine, and soda part of the reason why you had your teeth whitened? These popular beverages are some of the most common causes of tooth discoloration. They all contain dark pigments that can find their way into the tiny pits in your teeth and cause stains. Additionally, these drinks are highly acidic, which weakens enamel and makes it even easier for dark-colored particles to discolor your teeth.

Acidic Foods

To lift stains from your teeth, the whitening process slightly weakens your enamel. For several days following your whitening treatment, your enamel will gradually regain its strength. However, eating acidic foods right afterward can weaken your teeth even more and cause your newly whitened pearly whites to become extra sensitive to temperatures. A few of the most acidic foods you should avoid include citrus fruits, tomatoes, and pickled foods.

Dark Sauces

A general rule of thumb to remember is that if a food or drink will stain a white shirt, it can stain your teeth as well. Since your slightly weakened enamel will be highly susceptible to dark pigments for a little while after your whitening treatment, you should avoid staining, dark-colored sauces. This includes soy sauce, tomato sauce, and mustard.

Dark-Colored Fruits & Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are brimming with a garden variety of nutrients and vitamins that can help keep your teeth strong and healthy. However, there are a few that can quickly stain your newly whitened teeth because of their acidic nature and dark-colored particles. It’s a good idea to wait to enjoy fruits and vegetables like berries, beets, cherries, and pomegranates to keep your teeth sparkling.

What to Eat Instead

A few days after your whitening treatment, you can begin to reintroduce staining foods back into your diet. While it’s a good idea to enjoy them in moderation, they’ll pose less of a threat to your whitening results. In the meantime, focus on enjoying lighter colored foods, such as:

• Rice, bread, and yogurt.
• Scrambled eggs, porridge, and milk.
• Bananas, coconut, and fish.
• Rice pudding and vanilla-based ice creams

Making a few simple, temporary alterations to your diet right after your whitening treatment can go a long way in protecting your investment in your pearly whites. Eating the right foods and practicing great oral hygiene will help you enjoy a beautiful, bright smile for a long time!

About the Practice

The team of Blue Ridge Dental is passionate about helping the smiles of Charlottesville, Crozet, and the surrounding communities look and feel their best. They offer wide range of custom cosmetic treatments to help their patients overcome nearly any cosmetic flaw that prevents them from feeling confident about their smile. Teeth whitening is one of their most popular treatments, and they’re proud to offer both in-office and take-home options for maximum convenience. To learn more about teeth whitening and how to maintain its results, they can be contacted via their website or at (434) 978-1510.