Teeth are porous in nature. Tiny pigment molecules can sneak into them and cause your smile to look a bit yellow or dull. That can happen even after a professional teeth whitening treatment! Is there anything you can do to protect your freshly brightened smile? Yes! One important key to maintaining your results is choosing the right foods. This blog post contains practical advice to help you keep your teeth as white as possible for as long as possible.
For the First 48 Hours, Eat a White Diet
Immediately after a teeth whitening treatment, teeth are especially vulnerable to discoloration. The enamel temporarily becomes more permeable, which allows pigment molecules to penetrate it more easily. During the first two days following your in-office whitening session, therefore, you should consume only pale or colorless foods to provide a protective buffer against new stains. Here are some ideas for what you can eat during this critical period:
- Eat plain yogurt, cottage cheese, and milk, which are gentle on teeth and provide calcium.
- Choose white fish, chicken breast, and turkey with no added sauces or spices.
- Consume egg whites and avoid egg yolks, which may have stronger pigment.
- Include rice, pasta, and bread made from white flour rather than whole grain varieties.
- Snack on peeled potatoes and cauliflower instead of brightly colored vegetables such as carrots or spinach.
- Drink water, coconut water, or other white or clear beverages instead of colored juices or sodas.
Continue to Minimize Highly Pigmented Foods
Once you pass the initial two days, you may reintroduce a wider variety of foods. However, it remains wise to limit your intake of items that can stain teeth. For example, you should minimize things like coffee, tea, red wine, and dark sodas. When you do consume such beverages, it is best to drink them through a straw so they have less contact with your teeth. Highly pigmented foods, such as berries, soy sauce, beets, and items with artificial coloring are also best avoided or limited.
After you drink or eat anything that has strong coloring, rinse your mouth with water to help wash away any lingering particles in your mouth.
Other Tips for Maintaining a Bright Smile
Your diet is important for maintaining a bright smile, but it is not the only factor in how long your teeth whitening results last. Here are some additional steps you can take to protect your treatment:
- Brush and floss your teeth twice daily to remove plaque and surface stains.
- Schedule regular dental checkups and professional cleanings.
- Use whitening toothpaste to control new surface stains.
- Avoid tobacco products, as these can quickly dull your smile.
- Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production, which helps wash away food particles.
- Visit your dentist for periodic whitening touch-ups.
The results of teeth whitening do not last forever, but you can enjoy a bright smile for a long time if you choose the right foods and stick to other good practices!
Meet the Practice
At New Haven Dental Group, our team is proud to offer a variety of general and cosmetic dentistry services, including both in-office and take-home professional teeth whitening. If you are concerned about dental stains or want tips on how to achieve a brighter smile, we would be pleased to speak with you. Contact our Branford location at 203-439-6895.