Teeth whitening can help get rid of the stains and discolored spots on your enamel, leaving you with a brighter smile that you can feel confident in. However, if you want to keep the results of your cosmetic dental treatment for as long as possible, then you need to be mindful about what you’re eating and drinking. Below are 5 types of foods and beverages that are best avoided if you’ve recently had teeth whitening performed.
1. Acidic Foods
One of the side effects of the bleach used for professional teeth whitening is that it temporarily weakens the enamel. As such, it’s best not to eat anything acidic (such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, pineapples, or pickles) for a while after your whitening procedure. Such foods can weaken the teeth even further, which can leave them more sensitive than normal and could even make them more susceptible to becoming stained again.
2. Dark-Colored Beverages
Dark-colored beverages such as coffee and tea are infamous for discoloring the teeth. If you’re not careful, overconsumption of these types of drinks could easily undo the results of your teeth whitening treatment. That said, you can mitigate the staining effects of dark-colored beverages somewhat by drinking them through a straw, thus minimizing the amount of contact they have with the teeth.
3. Dark Sauces
Many kinds of sauces, such as tomato sauce and soy sauce, are common culprits when it comes to dental discoloration. A good rule to keep in mind is that any kind of sauce that could leave a stain on a white shirt could also potentially stain your teeth.
4. Red Wine
Red wine contains dark-colored pigments known as anthocyanins as well as special compounds called tannins; when the liquid comes in contact with your teeth, the tannins bind the anthocyanins to your enamel, thus causing stains to appear. And since red wine is acidic, it can make the enamel more porous, making it even easier for staining pigments to get caught. All of these factors make red wine a beverage that you’ll definitely want to stay away from after teeth whitening.
5. Dyed Foods and Beverages
Plenty of foods and beverages, such as popsicles, sports drinks and various kinds of candy, contain dyes that give them a brighter appearance. Needless to say, these dyes could also end up staining your teeth following a teeth whitening procedure. It’s therefore in your best interest to stay away from dyed foods as much as possible.
The results of teeth whitening don’t last forever, but you’ll be able to maintain them a lot longer if you’re diligent about protecting your smile from stain-causing foods and beverages.
About the Practice
Here at Boston Prosthodontics Dental Group, we have an entire team of board-certified specialists who are dedicated to helping patients improve the health and appearance of their smiles. Our menu of services includes various types of cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening for brightening stained, dull, or discolored enamel. If you would like a more dazzling smile, you can schedule a consultation with our team by visiting our website or calling (617) 523-5451.