What to Eat after Your Teeth Whitening Appointment

Beautiful teeth, beautiful smile!

Even if you stick to excellent oral hygiene practices, with regular cleaning appointments & flossing, Teeth whitening is an excellent way to achieve a brighter smile and increased self-confidence. To get the most out of this gentle, effective procedure, watch what you eat afterwards. 

Your teeth are much more porous than usual for the first 48 hours after the procedure because whitening agents allow a cleaning agent to enter your teeth’s pores. This means that eating the wrong foods during this time could cause your teeth to get stained again, ruining the entire teeth-whitening process. 

Fortunately, there are still a lot of tasty meals and snacks you can enjoy while you wait for those pores to close up once more even though many foods should be avoided.

WHY GET TEETH WHITENING AT YOUR DENTIST

Both professional and at-home teeth whitening procedures have a wide range of options. Ensure that you speak with your doctor before starting any treatment. The majority of teeth-whitening products fall into one of three categories and range in strength from mild surface whiteners to more potent ones that can remove more deeply embedded stains.

Whitening Toothpaste

The stains on the surface of your teeth can be removed by whitening toothpaste, which is great for people with sensitive teeth. Whitening toothpastes typically don’t have any negative side effects because they use a polishing action rather than chemical bleaching. 

However, due to their gentleness, they don’t significantly whiten teeth as chemical products do. Additionally, it usually takes several weeks to several months of consistent use for whitening toothpastes to produce noticeable results.

At Home Teeth Whitening

You can buy at-home whitening kits from your dentist or a store. Whitening strips, trays, lights, rinses, and brushes are just a few of the many kit types available. They frequently contain peroxide, which, when used repeatedly for days or weeks, works beneath the surface to lighten tooth enamel.

In contrast to store-bought, one-size-fits-all whitening trays, your dentist might create a custom bleaching tray to fit your upper and lower teeth better.

According to your dentist’s advice, you’ll squeeze the whitening gel into the custom trays and wear them for brief periods during the day or overnight. Be careful not to wear the trays for too long as the peroxide in the gel may irritate your gums or teeth.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening is performed in a dental office. Because the solution contains more peroxide, in-office whiteners are much stronger than the other two options. They can lighten your teeth faster than at-home methods.

The in-office whitening procedure takes approximately an hour. The gum tissues are covered with a thin sheet of rubber or a protective gel to help protect the mouth from the peroxide. A light or laser is occasionally used with the peroxide.

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WHAT FOODS TO AVOID AFTER TEETH WHITENING

Because it protects the nerves, the enamel of the tooth is most impacted by the foods and liquids we consume. The crown’s colour, which can range from white to yellow depending on the amount of plaque buildup, is also a property of the enamel.

The following are the three main factors that stain teeth:

  • Tannins
  • Chromogens
  • Acids

These are ingredients that can be found in a variety of foods and drinks and should be avoided after teeth whitening. Dentists advise avoiding these foods and beverages for up to 48 hours after a teeth whitening procedure, although some of these foods may be difficult to give up.

Wine

Both white and red wines can be bad for your teeth’s colour and enamel. Red wine has a high acid content and is likely to leave stains due to its dark pigment. Despite its lighter hue, white wine can still damage enamel.

Tea & Coffee

For a few days, it might be challenging to break your coffee or tea habit, but doing so will help you avoid one of the main sources of stains.

Tannins found in coffee and tea can accumulate over time and darken the colour of your teeth. When your teeth are most porous, after a professional whitening, tannins can stain them even more quickly.

Dark Fruit

Fruits with dark hues contain a lot of pigments that can stain your teeth. Particularly acidic fruits can also cause enamel erosion. 

Avoiding fruits with dark juices, such as raspberries, cherries, pomegranates, blackberries, and blueberries, will help. Avoid the juices made from these fruits as well.

Candy

Refined sugars can cause erosion, discoloration, and decay, especially if your teeth are still sensitive from teeth whitening. After your procedure, make sure to stay away from chocolate and candy with artificial colours.

WHAT FOODS YOU CAN EAT AFTER TEETH WHITENING

Following a teeth whitening procedure, it is always best to adhere to a “white diet” for at least 48 hours. This diet consists of eating only light-coloured foods that will not stain your teeth or seep into the open pores, giving the pores plenty of time to close before exposing your teeth to potential staining elements again. This “can-have” list includes the following foods:

  • Fish
  • Tofu
  • Bananas
  • Apple Juice
  • Skim milk
  • White rice
  • White potatoes
  • Cauliflower
  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Egg whites
  • White bread
  • White pasta

THINKING ABOUT TEETH WHITENING?

Many over-the-counter teeth whitening options are available, including toothpaste and at-home whitening trays. Dentists have even more options, using stronger ingredients and more specialized treatments to whiten even the most stained teeth.

If you’re interested in a brighter, whiter smile, contact us today to get the smile you’ve always dreamed of.

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Dr. Henry Lam DMD

DR. HENRY LAM
Born and raised in Vancouver, Dr. Henry Lam received his Doctor Of Dental Medicine at the University of British Columbia and has full-time dental practice since 2005. After joining 8West Dental Care in August 2014, he’s brought valuable experience to his patients in the Calgary, AB area.

Dr. Henry Lam DMD

DR. HENRY LAM
Born and raised in Vancouver, Dr. Henry Lam received his Doctor Of Dental Medicine at the University of British Columbia and has full-time dental practice since 2005. After joining 8West Dental Care in August 2014, he’s brought valuable experience to his patients in the Calgary, AB area.