5 foods and drinks to avoid after a whitening treatment

Want your whitening treatment to last? Avoid these foods and drinks after treatment.

Although a whitening treatment will leave your smile white and bright, following the procedure, your teeth will be more porous than before. This means that they can absorb pigment from foods and drinks quite easily. To really make the most of your treatment and prolong your results, try and avoid stain-causing foods and drinks as much as possible.

Avoid acidic foods and drinks
It’s best to avoid acidic foods and drinks after a whitening treatment in order to prevent sensitivity and discomfort. Stay away from citrus fruits like lemons and oranges, sodas and fruit juices; sugar and sugary sweets, grains; wine; and certain processed foods. These foods can contribute to tooth erosion, a process in which the enamel of the teeth wears away to eventually expose the dentin. Tooth erosion can cause sensitivity as well as discolouration as the enamel thins and the yellow layer of dentin is exposed.

If you do have acidic foods and drinks from time to time, try and wash them down with water to rinse your mouth of acid. For acidic drinks, it can be helpful to use a straw as this reduces the contact time with your teeth. Also, try and wait at least 30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth. Brushing immediately after eating or drinking acidic foods and beverages can cause damage to the surface of your teeth.

Say no to dark sauces
Try and limit your intake of dark sauces, like soy, because they can stain your teeth, even after a whitening treatment. Other sauces to avoid include balsamic vinegar, which is also very acidic and will naturally stick to the surface of your teeth; tomato sauce, which tends to be highly concentrated; and dark sauces like bolognaise.

Limit your chocolate intake
Before you panic, don’t worry — you don’t need to avoid chocolate forever. Just try and say no to the sweet treat for the first week or so following your whitening treatment. Dark chocolate in particular can cause stains and ruin the beautiful results of your whitening treatment.

Reduce your red wine consumption
While many of us enjoy a glass of red wine from time to time, the drink can unfortunately lead to stains. Try and avoid drinking red wine for as long as possible after your whitening treatment to make your results last.

Don’t drink coffee
For many of us, coffee is an essential part of the morning routine, but unfortunately, it’s one of the most common culprits when it comes to tooth stains and discolouration. In fact, your coffee habit may be the reason you opted for a whitening treatment in the first place. It’s a good idea to avoid coffee for at least 48 hours after your whitening treatment.

So, what can you eat?
Particularly in the few days following your whitening treatment, try and stick to light-coloured foods. For breakfast, switch your berry smoothie for plain yoghurt and banana, or oats. For lunch and dinner, white fish and chicken are both great options, while good vegetable options include cauliflower, potatoes and white beans. Need a snack? Opt for light cheeses, natural plain yoghurt, and rice cakes or crackers. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water.

We offer a number of whitening options, including home whitening kits and an in-office whitening system. To find out more about these treatments, and how they work, have a look here.

To arrange a consultation, please get in touch with our friendly team.