After investing your valuable time and money into teeth whitening, it would be incredibly disappointing for stubborn stains to resurface the following week. Fortunately, there are several ways you can prolong your results, starting with being selective about what you eat and drink immediately after your treatment. With this in mind, keep reading to learn a few foods to avoid after whitening your teeth.
4 Foods You Shouldn’t Eat After Whitening Your Teeth
To keep your teeth bright and beautiful, you should avoid eating:
- Pineapple – Although pineapples are loaded with lots of nutrients and vitamins, the acidity can result in uncomfortable sensitivity. So, do your best to avoid this fruit as well as other citrusy ones.
- Soy sauce – Dark sauces can quickly cause stubborn stains to resurface, wasting your time and money in the process. For this reason, you should avoid BBQ sauce, soy sauce, marinara sauce, and the like.
- Popsicles – Popsicles can contain dyes that discolor your teeth quickly. Therefore, patients are encouraged to avoid them as well as other treats with natural and artificial dyes.
- Beets – Again, the dark color can shorten the lifespan of your results. So, steer clear of beets, berries, purple cabbage, and other pigmented foods.
A Few Foods You Should Eat After Whitening Your Teeth
Simply put, you’ll want to stick to white and light-colored foods when you can. This includes oatmeal, plain yogurt, scrambled eggs, rice, and bananas. When it comes to drinks, water is best since it hydrates you, it doesn’t contain any color, and it can rinse away food particles, plaque, and other debris from the surface of your teeth. Of course, milk is another great option since calcium helps promote healthy teeth, and it’s light in color!
Other Ways to Keep Your Teeth Nice and Bright
Naturally, what you eat and drink is just the start. To keep your teeth white, you also need to commit to good oral hygiene best practices, like:
- Brushing twice a day (for a full two minutes each time).
- Flossing and rinsing with mouthwash each morning or evening.
- Using a straw when drinking dark-colored beverages, like coffee.
- Getting a dental checkup and cleaning semi-annually.
- Quitting unhealthy habits that can stain your teeth, like smoking.
By committing to a solid oral care regimen and being mindful of what you eat and drink, you’ll be able to enjoy the results of your teeth whitening treatment for months or years instead of weeks!
About the Doctor
When he was younger, Dr. Marc Moulton sustained a serious dental injury. Fortunately, his dentist was there to help! This experience inspired him to pursue a career in dentistry, and he has spent the last 30+ years helping others achieve their best smiles. In addition to studying at Emory University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, he completed a residency program with the Veterans Administration Hospital and pursues continuing education with prestigious institutions, like the Spear Institute. If you want to learn about the extensive services he offers, including teeth whitening, or you’d like to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (205) 988-3360.