What to Eat After Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is both in demand and big business. Over 38 million Americans report using teeth whitening, whether home solutions or dental office treatments. Many practices see whitening as the most requested cosmetic service by their patients. It’s no wonder, given how the foods they like to eat can add up to stains that dial down their smiles from white to dingy yellow. Not exactly the look that Hollywood unconsciously promotes through its tooth-capped stars. 

While dental office whitening produces instant and dramatic results, these treatments aren’t permanent. Extending your bright white smile means altering a few habits, and among the most significant changes is a modified diet. 

Allure Dental Care of Maple Lawn offers the Philips Zoom! teeth whitening system to their patients desiring the exceptional results this treatment offers. When you’re aware of your diet’s common teeth-staining components, you can maximize your brightest smile. 

Why your teeth stain

Though your teeth seem like tiny, formidable weapons that assist the biting and chewing battle, they’re not quite the impervious warriors they may seem. Though you can’t see it, even the strong outer enamel layer is porous, adding to the surface area of teeth exposed to food and drink as you eat. 

Teeth stains aren’t only about exposure to dark-colored substances. Acidic food and drink weaken tooth enamel temporarily after consumption, and foods that might not otherwise discolor your teeth could do so during this weak point for your tooth enamel. Therefore, it’s important to stay away from both staining agents and foods that might compromise your tooth enamel’s strength. 

Into the darkness

You probably think of coffee, tea, and red wine immediately when you consider things to avoid after teeth whitening. You’re right, and that’s a great place to start, though the list goes on. It may be surprising that white wine is also on the “to avoid” list. The wine itself can’t stain your teeth, but it can leave you vulnerable to staining from other foods since wine is acidic. No wonder red wine is such a culprit. 

It’s not the only double-whammy you face. Colas and other dark sodas offer up the staining/acidic package, as do dark condiments, like soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and even ketchup. Fruit juices are often highly acidic, and dark fruits like blackberries and blueberries are also notorious for their staining tendencies, despite their other health benefits. 

If a spice can stain your pots and dishware, it can stain your teeth. Chocolate and other sugary candies both stain and weaken enamel. 

Keep it white

Before you think that teeth whitening takes all the fun out of food, consider those things that you can munch away without worry. Think of the delicious ways you can enjoy chicken and turkey. They have no staining components, and they’re not acidic. Since they’re also a source of lean protein, chicken and turkey are an all-around good choice for your health in general. White fish is another safe protein. When you add any variety of white rice to a fish or chicken meal, you have classic combinations that won’t affect the brightness of your smile. 

You’ve got options with some vegetables. Onions come in white and red varieties, so stay with the lighter versions to avoid stains. Peeling any color of potato usually solves the pigment issue. When it comes to food choices, it’s hard to go wrong when you keep it white.

The first 48 hours after whitening is the most crucial period for maintaining a stain-free diet, but of course, the fewer staining foods you eat, the longer your whitening could last. Learn more about extending your white smile by contacting Allure Dental Care of Maple Lawn for a teeth whitening visit. Call the office or request a session online. It’s not hard to alter your diet after your appointment, so get your shine on now.