Foods to Avoid After Professional Teeth Whitening

Congratulations on your newly whitened smile! Now that you’ve removed up to eight shades of discoloration, you probably want to maintain that gorgeous glowing grin for as long as possible. Unfortunately, it can be very easy to re-stain teeth in the first few days after whitening treatment is complete, but the good news is that by temporarily switching up your diet, you can avoid this happening to you. Here’s a closer look at some safe foods to eat after professional whitening, and a few you should definitely avoid!

Foods & Drinks to Avoid after Whitening

Although a white diet isn’t exactly exciting, the good news is that you’ll only have to color code your food for about three days. Please note that if you’ve chosen a take-home whitening kit, you should adhere to this diet throughout the duration of your treatment in addition to the three days after it concludes.

• Dark foods and beverages: A good rule of thumb to follow is that if it can stain a white t-shirt, it can also stain your teeth. Thus, be sure to avoid things like cola, coffee, red wine, sports drinks, and any other colorful juices and teas. Furthermore, skip staining sauces like soy, or those that are tomato or turmeric based, like marinara and curry.
• Vibrant fruits and veggies: While it’s still essential to get five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, be sure to temporarily avoid things like blueberries, blackberries, carrots, and spinach, as those can discolor your newly whitened teeth! You may also want to take a break from anything acidic such as citrus, as these can cause temporary tooth sensitivity.
• Artificial dyes and colors: Whether they’re in your cereal, candy, or favorite pastries, artificial coloring doesn’t just make your food look wild, it can leave behind discoloration on your newly whitened teeth. Thus, be sure to say no to dyes for now, and if you’re planning to lighten your smile for an upcoming event such as a wedding that may have a vibrantly hued dessert, be sure to plan for your treatment to conclude about two weeks before the big day.

White Foods & Drinks for Brighter Teeth

Although dietary restrictions are no fun, thankfully they’re only temporary! In the meantime, feel free to indulge in an abundance of the following without putting your newly whitened smile at risk:

• Milk, cheese, and plain yogurt.
• White potatoes.
• Water.
• Pasta or noodles with no sauce.
• Oatmeal or cream of wheat.
• Eggs.
• Chicken.
• White fish.
• Pork.

Remember, although you can easily remove up to eight shades of discoloration from your smile in as little as one hour with professional whitening, your results won’t last long if you don’t avoid dark foods in the first few days. Thus, be sure to skip the stains, and stick to a white diet for three days post treatment, and give your gorgeous, glowing grin the best odds for success!

About Dr. Goodman

Dr. Alex Goodman earned his undergraduate degree at Samford University and his dental doctorate at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. He has previously served as President for the 6^th district of the Tennessee Dental Association, and is a current, active member of the Millennium Study Club. He was even voted a Top 5 Dentist in Columbia by the Daily Herald! To schedule a consultation for teeth whitening at Goodman Family Dentistry, visit our website or call us today at 931-388-4315.