Foods to Avoid After Teeth Whitening

When people think of a gorgeous grin, bright, white teeth are often the first thing that comes to mind. There are lots of foods and drinks that can make your smile look discolored, but professional teeth whitening can remove the stains they leave behind. Even so, there are some foods and drinks that you’ll need to avoid after having your smile whitened. Read on to learn what they are as well as what foods and drinks you should have instead.

5 Types of Foods and Drinks to Avoid After Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening can boost your confidence in your smile, but eating or drinking the wrong things after the procedure may leave your smile stained once more. A few types of food and drinks that you should avoid for the first few days after treatment include

• Vibrant fruits or vegetables – This includes foods like cherries, spinach, blueberries, carrots, beets, blackberries, purple cabbage, grapes, plums, and pomegranates.
• Foods that contain dyes – Fruit candies, colorful breakfast cereals, and chewing gum all fall into this category.
• Dark and highly pigmented drinks – Coffee, red wine, cranberry juice, grape juice, tea, and cola can also leave stains on your pearly whites.
• Acidic foods and drinks – Pickles, oranges, lemons, limes, beer, soda and other foods and drinks that contain acid should be avoided.
• Dark or colorful condiments and sauces – Tomato sauce, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and barbeque sauce can all stain your smile.

What to Eat Instead

Though there are several foods and drinks you’ll need to avoid after teeth whitening, there are still plenty that you can indulge in, including:

• Light-colored fruits and veggies – This includes bananas, white onions, coconut, and cauliflower.
• White, crustless bread – You can cut the crust off or search for bread that doesn’t have any.
• White rice, potatoes, and pasta – These foods are a light color, so they won’t leave stains.
• Hot cereal – Oatmeal, porridge, and grits can replace colorful breakfast cereals.
• Firm fruits and vegetables – Green beans, celery, and apples are safe to eat.
• Dairy products – Plain yogurt, milk, and cheese shouldn’t stain your teeth.
• Eggs – This classic breakfast food is perfect for a recently whitened smile.
• Deli meats – Turkey and chicken are good meal options post-whitening.
• Whitefish – Cod, pollock, and haddock are good options.
• Skinless poultry – This includes chicken and turkey.

Other Ways to Make Your Results Last

Along with avoiding stain-causing foods, good oral hygiene will go a long way in keeping your smile stain-free. Brush twice per day for two minutes and nightly to lessen your risk of decay by removing plaque and food particles. You should also see your dentist twice per year for checkups and cleanings. They will do a thorough examination during these visits to ensure that you don’t have any oral health issues that may jeopardize your smile.

A few days post-teeth whitening, you’ll be able to reincorporate darker foods and drinks back into your diet. Just make sure to be patient until then so you can avoid staining and keep your smile looking lovely!

About the Practice

Amburgey Dental is led by Dr. Steven E. Amburgey, a talented dentist with over 15 years of experience helping patients maintain healthy smiles. They take pride in administering exceptional care to their Abingdon patients. If your smile is stained, they offer KOR® teeth whitening to eliminate discoloration for a more gorgeous grin. Visit Amburgey Dental’s website or call their office at (276) 258-5568 to learn more about teeth whitening or to schedule an appointment.