4 Foods to Avoid After Getting Teeth Whitening Treatment

If you want to enhance your pearly whites, then you might consider getting teeth whitening. By undergoing this quick and effective treatment, you can be sure to enjoy and show off a more confident smile. While your results can last around several months to over a year with proper care, you’ll want to stay clear of certain items immediately following your procedure. Read on to learn about four foods you should avoid after undergoing teeth whitening!

#1: Dark-Colored Fruits & Veggies

Once you’ve completed your treatment, your teeth will be like a blank canvas. This means they’ll be especially vulnerable to foods that can cause discoloration. Although many fruits and vegetables are healthy and nutritious, some can also contain pigmented dye that can affect the color of your smile. For this reason, you’ll want to keep away from munching on foods like blueberries, carrots, grapes, and spinach (or dark, leafy greens).

#2: Dark Sauces

A good way to decide which foods are safe for your newly whitened teeth is to imagine how they’ll affect a perfectly white shirt. Some of the most discoloring items are dark sauces, such as soy and tomato sauce. If you want to make the most of your cosmetic dental results, then make sure not to coat your pearly whites with these stain-causing substances. Instead, try using white cream sauce to help maintain your bright smile.

#3: Acidic Foods

Your tooth enamel may become weakened from the bleach during the whitening process. Not only can this lead to mildly higher sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, but your smile can also be vulnerable to acidic foods. Meals consisting of citrus fruits (lemon, lime, etc.), pickled foods, and even tomatoes can wear down your enamel and ruin the color of your teeth.

#4: Dark-Colored Beverages

You’ll want to stay clear of drinks that can cause heavy stains on your smile, such as soda, red wine, tea, and especially coffee. The dark pigments in these beverages can get trapped in the pores of your teeth, causing stains and discoloration over time. Be sure to hold off on these liquids for some time after your treatment. To maintain your results, try limiting how frequently you consume dark-colored beverages and use a straw to reduce contact with your smile.

By avoiding these items and keeping proper dental hygiene, you can be sure to enjoy your freshly whitened smile for many months to come. Speak with your dentist if you have any concerns along the way, and they’ll be more than happy to help!

About the Author

Dr. Stephanie Lacquaniti earned her dental doctorate from the University of Florida College of Dentistry and has delivered outstanding care for over a decade. She also regularly seeks advanced training to refine her expertise so that her patients receive the high-quality treatments they deserve. She provides multiple comprehensive services, including teeth whitening and dental checkups/cleanings. If you’d like to know the best practices for maintaining your teeth whitening results, visit her website or call her at 352-383-8121.