Dental Diet: What to Avoid After Teeth Whitening

Dentist Blog

If you've made the decision to get your teeth whitened, you've probably realised that your diet was a contributing factor in your teeth becoming discoloured in the first place. It's hardly a secret that certain foods and drinks can stain your teeth, but of course, you don't want to avoid these things altogether. In an ideal world, you would brush your teeth, or at least rinse your mouth after you consume these items, but it's not always practical to brush your teeth after each glass of red wine. Immediately after you've had teeth whitening, you'll need to be mindful about what you eat and drink. The process represents a significant investment, and so you'll want it to be as effective as possible. So what sort of attention do you need to pay to your diet after teeth whitening?

Avoid the Stain

The process of whitening actually opens up the microscopic pores on your teeth, making them more susceptible to stains. This becomes less of a problem after 48 hours when the pores shrink, but for the first two days after teeth whitening, you should avoid all dark beverages, essentially anything that might stain. This includes cola, tea, coffee, red wine, and even dark beers. Foods that stain should also be avoided, and this includes berries, pomegranates, beetroot, chocolate, and dark sauces such as BBQ and soy.

Avoid the Pain

It's not as though the pores in your teeth have opened up all the way to your teeth's nerve endings, but the process can make your teeth far more sensitive. Avoid frozen treats such as ice cream during this time. You should also avoid food that is served ice cold, and drinks should be consumed without ice. You might also notice a sensitivity to food that is served straight from the oven, so allow your meals to cool slightly before you eat. This sensitivity should subside after around 48 hours.

Your Continuing Diet

While your teeth will be capable of chewing anything 48 hours after whitening, you don't necessarily want to go back to your old habits. You'll want your teeth to stay white and bright for as long as possible, and there are a number of dietary changes that can help you with this. Try to drink soft drinks and fruit juices with a straw, which allows the staining agents to bypass your teeth. Try to rinse your mouth after coffee and red wine (since you probably won't want to drink these items with a straw!). Citrus fruit and dairy products promote saliva production, which neutralises mouth acid, protecting your dental enamel from discolouration and decay. So be sure to add more citrus and dairy products to your diet.

Teeth whitening can make you look and feel great, but it's important to take maintain your newly white teeth in the days and years afterwards...

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12 June 2015