Foods to Avoid After Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening ensures your smile stays bright and looks healthy. But how do you keep your teeth white after treatment? One way is to avoid these foods discussed in this month’s blog.

Smiles come in all levels of brightness, with some brighter than others. You might be seeking a whiter smile because of stains or because your enamel has worn down over time. Regardless of why you want a brighter smile, teeth whitening provides an in-office and at-home option.

That said, after the procedure, you’ll need to avoid certain foods to reduce the risk of your teeth staining again. If you live in the Richmond Hill, Georgia, area and want to keep your teeth at their brightest, Dr. Nils Amderson and our team at Village Dental can help.

Now, let’s look at how the food you eat affects tooth color and which foods and drinks you should avoid.

How food can affect tooth color

Tooth discoloration can happen on the surface of the teeth (extrinsic), inside the teeth (intrinsic), or when the enamel wears away due to aging.

Dark-colored food and drink can stain the surface of teeth, and sugary foods destroy the enamel and cause discoloration below the surface. Chewing tobacco and other tobacco products also cause staining.

Foods to avoid after teeth whitening

Once you’ve had teeth whitening, avoid these foods and drinks:

Coffee and tea: the tannins in these drinks cause color compounds to stick to teeth, staining them

Red wine: the acidic properties in this wine can open up the pores in enamel, staining them

Berries: the dark pigmentation of various berries can discolor teeth

Sports and energy drinks: both have high acidity that erodes enamel

Colas: pose a problem because of the combination of acid and sugar

Soy Sauce: stains because of the dark color and high acid

Tomato-based sauces: due to the acid in these sauces and bright color

Candy and sweets: causes mild stains, and the sugar wears down enamel

Foods to eat after treatment

However, these foods can also help teeth stay white:

Fruits

Certain fruits, like strawberries and watermelon, which contain malic acid, have unique properties that help keep teeth light in color. Pineapple and papaya also have chemicals that break down the salivary proteins that affect tooth color.

Milk

The combination of lactic acid and casein in milk helps to lighten teeth. Lactic acid stimulates more saliva to wash away bacteria, while casein helps to keep plaque from accumulating on teeth.

Continue practicing proper dental hygiene, including routine brushing and flossing, to keep your teeth bright and healthy.

Watching what you eat can preserve the results of your teeth whitening treatment. However, the effects of this treatment aren’t permanent, so make an appointment with us when you’re ready for more teeth whitening.