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Teeth whitening uses special formulations to lift away years of stains and discoloration. While it’s safe for your teeth, whitening temporarily softens your tooth enamel, making your teeth more porous — and more prone to stains — for the first day or two after treatment.
Richard Blackburn, DMD, MA, wants Volterra Dental patients to get the most from their professional whitening treatments. He offers some tips about what foods to eat—and which ones to avoid—during the first 24-48 hours after treatment to maintain those gorgeous pearly whites.
Light-colored foods and beverages
Since tooth surfaces are porous, it's a good idea to stick to light-colored foods and drinks for the first couple of days. Poultry, cottage cheese, potatoes, scrambled eggs, and cauliflower are examples of light-colored foods that won’t cause staining.
Likewise, it is essential to avoid dark-colored foods and drinks during the immediate post-treatment period. That includes coffee, tea, red wine, dark-colored berries, curries, and sauces like soy sauce. Instead, opt for clear broth, herbal teas, or cucumber-infused water.
Non-acidic foods
Teeth whitening can make your gums temporarily sensitive, too. Acidic foods, like citrus fruits, tomato products, and vinegar-based products, may increase that sensitivity, so it’s best to stick with non-acidic options for the two days after your treatment. Skip citrus juices and sodas, too.
Soft foods
Hard, crunchy foods, like popcorn, chips, crackers, nuts, and crusty bread, can irritate gums if whitening has made them sensitive or damage teeth while enamel is temporarily soft. For now, focus on yogurt, rice, mashed potatoes, cream soups, and smoothies.
More tips for great results
Steering clear of dark-colored foods and drinks, especially acidic foods and beverages, and hard or crunchy foods is a great way to protect your smile in the first couple of days following your whitening treatment. But there are some other steps you can take to maintain those results for as long as possible.
Use a straw
There’s nothing like a good cup of coffee or tea to start your day or provide a midday pick-me-up. To prevent staining when drinking these and other deeply-pigmented beverages, use a straw to minimize contact between the beverage and your tooth surfaces.
Quit smoking (and vaping)
Tobacco products contain chemicals that can cause yellow and brown stains, while vapes contain liquids and chemicals that can soften enamel and cause stains, too. Avoid both habits to protect your teeth and benefit your health in other ways.
Practice good oral hygiene habits
Use a soft-bristled brush to protect your tooth enamel, and brush and floss regularly. Twice-yearly professional cleanings help keep your smile white and bright longer, too. Rinse your mouth after eating and drinking to remove pigments that can cause stains. (Avoid brushing right after meals since eating temporarily softens enamel.)
Enjoy a more dazzling smile
Teeth whitening can dramatically improve your smile and your confidence. To schedule your whitening treatment, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Blackburn and the team at Volterra Dental in Los Alamitos, California, today.