So, you’ve just had teeth whitening done from your cosmetic dentist in Inwood Village. Hopefully you now have the whiter smile you wanted! Before you indulge in your favorite wine at your local Italian restaurant or eat a spoonful of pasta with red sauce, your dentist wanted to explain the necessary steps in keeping your smile looking white, particularly right after treatment.
By knowing which foods to avoid and which ones to eat for the next few days, you’ll take proper care of your investment.
Why the Whitening Diet Matters
Many of the foods listed here should be avoided whether you just had teeth whitening or not. This is because their natural properties are known to stain teeth very easily. However, the reason avoiding them after teeth whitening is particularly important is two-fold. Not only will they damage your investment in general, but even more so immediately following your whitening.
Once bleaching agents have traveled through your enamel to your dentin, it leaves your enamel more vulnerable to staining than usual. To keep your teeth white, it’s important to avoid foods that are either highly acidic or richly pigmentated. Any foods that contain both properties, such as hot coffee for example, need to be removed from your diet until a couple days have past.
Foods to Avoid After Treatment
As mentioned, these foods should be cut entirely from your diet if your goal is to keep teeth whiter for longer.
The beverages to avoid include:
- Dark, carbonated drinks
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red and white wine
- Dark juices made from grapes, leafy greens, carrots, or tomatoes
- Sports drinks of all colors
- Vinegar
Foods to avoid include:
- Richly colored sauces (i.e. red sauce, mustard, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, etc.)
- Dark marinades
- Red meat
- Dark and richly-colored berries (i.e. blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, etc.)
- Citrus Fruits
- Chili
- Spinach and other dark green veggies
- Popsicles (especially fruit popsicles)
- Chocolate (excluding white chocolate)
- Nacho cheese
- Colored candies
- Cheesy Snacks (Cheetos, Doritos, anything that “dusts” your fingers a different color)
Foods to Include in Your Whitening Diet
Luckily, there are many foods you can replace for the next 48-72 hours once your whitening treatment has fully settled. If you’re ever unsure if a food is safe, your dentist in Inwood Village says if it can stain clothing, then it can stain teeth as well.
First, safe beverages include:
- Plain or sparkling water
- Milk
- Coconut water
- White lemonade
Safe foods include:
- Plain white yogurt
- Bananas
- Egg white omelets
- Peeled apples and pears
- Grated coconut
- Chicken or turkey
- White fish
- White cheese
- Mashed potatoes
- White rice
- Vanilla ice cream
- White chocolate
By paying close attention to the foods you eat following your whitening treatment, you’ll keep your whiter teeth for much longer. Schedule an appointment with your cosmetic dentist in Inwood Village to learn more ways to keep teeth white for longer!
About the Author
Dr. Davina Prida earned her degree at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, where she graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). She is a member of the Dallas County Dental Society, Texas Dental Association, American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Prida is also a member of the Texas Army National Guard. One of her main focuses is creating beautiful Smiles. She ia a Top Dallas Dentist Providing High Quality Dental Care, General Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implants, and Reconstructive Dentistry. Dr Davina Prida is fulfilling her vision of bringing the very best in cosmetic dentistry, reconstructive dentistry and general dentistry to Dallas at Inwood Village Dental. Dr. Prida’s approach of dental excellence and her use of advanced techniques, create the most natural, beautiful smiles possible. Dr. Prida is Dallas’ top cosmetic dentist, creating amazing smile makeovers with veneers, dental implants, dental crowns and bridges and Invisalign®. If you have questions about your dental treatment or dental care options, don’t hesitate to contact her at Inwood Village Dental or at (214) 352-2777.