The Food and Drinks to Avoid After Teeth Whitening

The Food and Drinks to Avoid After Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is among the best ways to invest in a more radiant smile. But to retain your results, you will have to avoid some foods and drinks. Teeth whitening is not a permanent solution to brightening your smile.

The tooth structure has three parts: the crown, neck, and root. Teeth whitening only focuses on the crown, the visible part. It focuses on the enamel, the top layer of the tooth. The natural color of the enamel can range from slightly yellow to grey white for some people who appear to have whiter smiles.

The enamel protects the inner part of the teeth containing sensitive nerves. It guards against the effects of consuming acidic, cold, or hot food or any plaque that may result. What you eat can stain your tooth enamel. The dentin sits underneath the enamel. It covers the whole tooth from the crown and root to the nerves in the tooth. It supports and keeps your enamel from breaking due to its elastic structure. 

The gums and enamel protect the dentin from decay and bacteria. Receding gums or eroded enamel exposes the dentin layer. Hence, most individuals experience sensitivity and pain to some temperatures, drinks, and foods.

Teeth whitening can expose the dentin temporarily and increase sensitivity. You have to be intentional about increasing the longevity of the results. Read on to learn what foods and drinks to avoid after you whiten your teeth.

Tea and Coffee

Coffee and tea contain tannins. The buildup of this substance can darken teeth dramatically. They can stain your teeth faster following whitening because that is when the teeth are often more porous. 

Try to avoid drinking coffee or tea for a couple of days. But if it is unavoidable, use a straw to limit the beverage from contacting your teeth directly. Ensure you rinse your mouth immediately after your drink.

Wine

Wine can affect your tooth color and harm the enamel. White wine breaks down your enamel, while red wine stains the teeth due to its dark pigment and causes erosion due to its acidity. Try to avoid them.

Chocolate and Candy

Refined sugars can cause tooth discoloration, erosion, and decay. Teeth whitening increases sensitivity and susceptibility to experiencing such damage. Avoid artificially colored candies and chocolate to retain the whitening results.

Acidic Foods

Avoid acidic foods after teeth whitening to prevent pain and sensitivity. Whitening treatments have bleaching agents that weaken your tooth enamel temporarily. Avoid pickles, lemons, limes, oranges, and soft drinks that can increase saliva acidity to harm your teeth.

Dark Fruits

The rich pigments in dark-colored fruits can stain teeth. Acidic fruits can also erode tooth enamel. Avoid fruits like blackberries, pomegranates, blueberries, raspberries, and cherries for their dark juices. Try not to drink juice made from these types of fruits. 

You can resume eating them after 48 hours of teeth whitening. Cutting such healthy fruits in your diet for too long may not benefit your general health.

Sauces

Avoid foods with dark sauces for a short while after whitening your teeth. Marinades, soy, stews, and tomato sauces can significantly cause staining. 

For more about teeth whitening, visit Smile Institute Miami at our office in Miami, Florida. Call (305) 590-5228 to book an appointment today.