When envisioning a stunning smile, gleaming white teeth often take center stage. Achieving that radiant smile may involve professional teeth whitening, effectively eliminating the stains left behind by various foods and drinks that can cause discoloration. However, the journey to maintaining your newly brightened smile extends beyond the treatment itself. After undergoing professional teeth whitening, certain foods and drinks should be avoided to preserve the results. In this exploration, we’ll delve into the specifics of what to steer clear of and offer alternatives to ensure your smile stays brilliantly white.
What to Eat Instead
After undergoing teeth whitening, certain foods and beverages are best avoided to maintain your brightened smile. However, there’s still a variety of indulgent options, including:
- White, crustless bread – Opt for bread without crust or remove it to enjoy a stain-free option.
- White rice, potatoes, and pasta – Choose these light-colored alternatives to avoid potential stains.
- Light-colored fruits and veggies – Incorporate bananas, white onions, coconut, and cauliflower into your diet.
- Hot cereal – Replace colorful breakfast cereals with options like oatmeal, porridge, and grits.
- Whitefish – Include cod, pollock, and haddock in your diet for teeth-friendly choices.
- Skinless poultry – Incorporate chicken and turkey into your meals for a stain-free experience.
- Dairy products – Delight in plain yogurt, milk, and cheese without worrying about stains.
- Firm fruits and vegetables – Enjoy green beans, celery, and apples as safe choices.
- Eggs – This classic breakfast food is a perfect addition to a recently whitened smile.
- Deli meats – Select turkey and chicken for stain-free meal options post-whitening.
5 Types of Foods and Drinks to Avoid After Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening can enhance your confidence in your smile, but consuming the wrong foods and drinks post-procedure may re-stain your teeth. For the initial days after treatment, steer clear of:
- Vibrant fruits or vegetables – Including cherries, spinach, blueberries, carrots, beets, blackberries, purple cabbage, grapes, plums, and pomegranates.
- Foods with dyes – Embrace caution with fruit candies, colorful breakfast cereals, and chewing gum.
- Dark and highly pigmented drinks – Be mindful of coffee, red wine, cranberry juice, grape juice, tea, and cola.
- Acidic foods and drinks – Avoid pickles, oranges, lemons, limes, beer, soda, and other acidic items.
- Dark or colorful condiments and sauces – Exercise caution with tomato sauce, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and barbeque sauce, as they may stain your smile.
Other Ways to Make Your Results Last
In addition to steering clear of foods that cause stains, maintaining good oral hygiene plays a crucial role in preserving a stain-free smile. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and nightly to minimize the risk of decay by eliminating plaque and food particles.
Regular dental checkups and cleanings, scheduled twice a year, are also essential. During these appointments, your dentist conducts a thorough examination to identify and address any potential oral health issues that could compromise the radiance of your smile.
Several days after undergoing teeth whitening, you can gradually reintroduce darker foods and drinks into your diet. Exercise patience until then to prevent staining and maintain the lovely appearance of your smile!
About the Practice
Indy Dental Group is dedicated to delivering outstanding oral healthcare for your entire family. Prioritizing exceptional and comfortable care, they provide a comprehensive range of treatments to ensure the health and beauty of your teeth. Their commitment to delivering exceptional care extends to their patients in Abingdon. If your smile is marred by stains, they offer both in-office and at-home teeth whitening solutions to eliminate discoloration, restoring a more beautiful grin. Explore Indy Dental Group’s website for contact information or to schedule an appointment and discover more about their teeth whitening services.