Ideas for Foods You Can Eat After A Teeth Whitening Procedure

Stained, yellowed, or discolored teeth can ruin your smile and impair your self-confidence. Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, you can whiten your smile with teeth whitening. One thing to note about teeth whitening is that it’s not suitable for everyone. Therefore, it’s essential to consult with your dentist if you consider this treatment.

The dentist will examine your teeth to determine the stains you have. Then, they will recommend the most effective treatment to whiten your smile. Even with multiple treatments, severe teeth stains may not respond to teeth whitening. Instead, dental bonding, veneers, and crowns can restore the appearance of your teeth.

Your Teeth Whitening Options

As far as teeth whitening is concerned, you have three major options: In-office teeth whitening, at-home whitening trays from your dentist, and lastly, over-the-counter or home whitening products. Over-the-counter and home-based whitening is the least recommended option to whiten your teeth.

Results are not guaranteed, and you’re at risk of using poor-quality products, leading to side effects such as enamel erosion, gum irritation, and infections. Contact an emergency dentist near you if you experience side effects after a whitening treatment.

Professional teeth whitening is your best option. You can opt for in-office teeth whitening, which is offered by a professional in the dental office. The procedure involves using highly concentrated bleaching agents to remove teeth stains.

If that’s not an option for you, your dentist can give you whitening trays and gel to use at home. You’ll have to wear the trays daily for a couple of weeks, as directed by your dentist. Contact our dentist in Rifle, CO, for professional teeth whitening.

Can Teeth Stain After Teeth Whitening?

After teeth whitening, what you do in the first 48 hours can significantly impact your results. Therefore, you should be very careful about your feeding and lifestyle habits to maintain your new smile. The bleaching agents cause your teeth’s enamel pores to open up during the whitening treatment and release the stains.

After the treatment, your teeth will still be porous for some hours. They can easily absorb pigments from any colored or staining items you eat. Simple things such as smoking or eating dark candy could ruin your new smile in minutes. Therefore, in the first 48 hours after teeth whitening, stay away from colored and acidic items.

What Foods Can You Have?

Below are friendly foods to include in your diet after teeth whitening:

• Chicken or turkey. Besides being healthy, chicken and turkey meat are light-colored and acid-free, making them a great diet option after teeth whitening.
• You can eat white fish such as albacore.
• Rice and pasta. They are ideal accompaniments for light foods such as chicken soup. Avoid adding colored sauces like tomatoes, red onions, and black pepper.
• White cheese and plain unsweetened yogurt
• Be sure to remove the yoke as it is colored.
• Potatoes. You can have mashed potatoes with chicken soup. Remember to peel off the potato skins.
• Porridge. Use white flour and milk to prepare your porridge, and don’t add sugar. Instead, you can use a sweetener.
• Water is not only good to maintain white teeth, but it also will keep you hydrated and maintain good oral health.

Regardless of how tempting it is, altogether avoid the following items:

• Coffee and tea
• Wine, both red and white
• Sodas and fruits juices
• Dark condiments such as tomato sauce and apple cider vinegar
• Sweets and chocolate
• Caramels
• Berries
• Alcoholic beverages
• Spices such as black pepper and curry

Can I Eat Meat After Teeth Whitening?

While meat is generally healthy, you should consider light-colored meats after a tooth whitening treatment. These can include white fish, chicken, tofu, and turkey. Avoid any colored sauces or seasoning such as tomatoes when cooking these foods as they can stain the teeth.

Can I Eat Seafood After Teeth Whitening?

Yes, but you should stick to white seafood such as albacore and Atlantic cod. Avoid dark fish species.

Other Tips to Maintain Your Smile After Teeth Whitening

Your diet isn’t the only thing that can affect your smile after teeth whitening. Below are other ways to protect your results after teeth whitening:

• Avoid or quit smoking. The nicotine substance in cigarettes and tobacco causes stubborn stains on teeth. Quitting tobacco products is also good for your overall well-being.
• Avoid colored dental products. While good dental care is essential to maintain your smile, avoid colored toothpaste and mouthwashes as they can stain your teeth.
• Schedule regular dental checkups. Your dentist will clean your teeth for a healthier and brighter smile during your dental appointments.

Final verdict

As a general rule, in the first 48 hours after teeth whitening, avoid taking anything that can stain white clothing. For more information about teeth whitening and other smile makeover treatments, contact Rifle Dental Care.