The main reason behind the stain on your teeth is the pigmentation from the food you eat. Yes, primarily, your diet plays an important role in changing the color of your mouth residents; however, other factors come into play as well.
After getting a whitening treatment from a professional, your first 2 days or 48 hours following will directly affect the results. As soon as your dentist signs you off, you will notice significant improvement immediately, but if you act recklessly, it can go away in a snap.
The whitening process is not as simple as you think. The teeth enamel is made porous first, so the whitening agent – bleach- can show its magic.
However, on the downside, it also makes your teeth prone to any potentially staining foods. Your teeth will absorb any sort of pigments that they would get in the initial days.
In this blog, we have detailed what you should eat after getting a teeth whitening procedure and the foods one should avoid. Until the 48-hour line passes, you can’t eat everything but the friendly foods to help have the best teeth whitening results.
Can You Eat After Whitening Teeth?
Yes, you can. We in no way are implying that starvation is the way to go. However, aftercare is crucial. One method of doing it is by choosing the white diet foods after this procedure. Here’s a brief list of foods you can eat after.
To avoid staining, you have to choose items that do not contain any pigment in them. That is why “white foods” are the best choice. Here is your list, sorted.
For breakfast
- Plain yogurt
- Egg without
- Yolks or “whites.”
- A bagel
- Apple juice
- Porridge for fiber
Lunch Time
- Plain chicken sandwiches
- White rice and veggies, either glazed or boiled
- Clear soups
- White cheese
- Pasta
Dinner
- Plain chicken
- Smoked Turkey
- Whitefish
- Mashed potatoes
- French fries
- White pizza with cream sauce
- Cauliflower
Snack Options
You can eat fruits but avoid the ones that can have color. For example, you cannot eat a pomegranate after getting a teeth whitening treatment, but you can eat a banana. Other than that, foods like chips or crackers are an excellent munching option too.
Foods you should avoid after Teeth Whitening.
Pigments in edible items are the main reason why your teeth suffer from staining. Here is a list of foods you should not eat after the teeth whitening process.
However, do not think that the change is for life. The teeth are sensitive for the first few days only after the procedure, but they get better after.
Dark Fruits
Dark or pigmented fruits can easily stain your teeth, more so when they are porous. Additionally, if it has an acidic effect, eating it would also hamper enamel. Avoid fruits such as pomegranates and berries, including cherries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries. Make sure you avoid their juices too.
Coffee or Tea
This may be a problem for you if it is a part of your routine. However, avoiding these beverages can help decrease the chances of staining to a great extent.
Both of these items contain tannins that darken the color of your teeth. After a professional teeth whitening session, tannins can stain at a greater speed due to porosity.
However, if coffee is something you absolutely cannot miss, try using a straw to limit the exposure.
Wine
You may think that only red wine is harmful, but both wines can cause staining. Red is highly acidic and dark. At the same time, white wine can break down enamel despite being white.
Fizzy Drinks
Anything that fizzes, just stay away from it. It gets its buzz from carbon gas and has high sugar and acid content that strips away tooth enamel. Colas with dark colors also make the surface stain.
Chocolates and candies
It is a known fact that refined sugar can cause cavities and decay along with discoloration. The teeth whitening process increases the sensitivity.
Which Elements Stain Teeth
Enamel is majorly made of calcium and offers protection to the nerves inside. It is the surface and suffers the wrath of foods and beverages taken. Some of the common teeth-staining elements that are present in the food are:
- acids
- tannins
- chromogens
All three are components that stain teeth and are a part of various foods and beverages. It may seem like a task to cut out staples and other favorites from the diet, but it is just for the time being, 48 hours after the teeth whitening process.
The reason we are emphasizing cutting them down is because of enamel porosity. They are more prone to let the staining matter get into the inner layers of the teeth.
What Is White Diet? Does It Work?
Temporary exposure to dentin after professional whitening is inevitable. Its porosity is what lets acidic and dark foods leave their patch on the teeth behind, and the pigments are easily absorbed into the teeth.
A white diet is every food that is pigment less or white in color. This includes eggs, milk, bananas, etc. Following this for the first 48 hours after a whitening procedure can help your teeth stay in perfect shape and tone.
Final Words
Other than edibles, habits like smoking tobacco cigarettes or chewing them as a whole are frowned upon. They are the next major contributors to teeth stains. If smoking or eating continues, the procedure will become useless. You can always ask for an alternate patch if you are hooked to these items.
At Pearlshine Dental, we offer the best Teeth Whitening Process in Houston. Our team will take you through the entire procedure and the aftercare protocols for optimal results!