Teeth Whitening Aftercare: Things To Avoid After Teeth Whitening

If you have discoloration, staining, or a yellowish tint on your teeth, professional teeth whitening treatments are highly effective in helping you to attain a brighter smile and boost your overall self-confidence. 

When you get your teeth whitened, it leaves your teeth a little more porous and temporarily affects the underlying dentin layer. As a result, certain pigments and dyes found in beverages and food can lead to stains or new discoloration forming on your teeth.

We want you to have the most amazing white smile and for your teeth whitening treatment to last as long as possible. This article will discuss what things you should avoid after whitening your teeth.

Things To Avoid After Teeth Whitening Treatment

Whether you opt for a do-it-yourself teeth whitening method or professional teeth whitening, you want to maintain your pearly white teeth for as long as possible. 

Various things cause tooth discoloration in everyday life and even more quickly after a teeth whitening procedure. You want to avoid certain foods, drinks, and activities to ensure you get the most out of your treatment. 

#1. Avoid Drinking Beverages with Strong Pigments

The first 3 to 5 days after teeth whitening treatment are crucial, and your teeth will discolor quicker than usual. To prolong your teeth whitening treatment, it is best to avoid drinking anything during this time that can cause staining on your newly whitened teeth. Any beverage with pigment should be avoided, including the following:

• Fruit juices and smoothies
• Red wine
• Coffee and tea
• Tomato juice
• Beer

These drinks contain intensely pigmented colors and may easily stain your teeth. Once the initial period is past, you could use a straw when drinking some of these drinks, which will help prevent the glasses from coming into direct contact with the front surface of your teeth.

#2. Avoid Foods with Strong Pigments

There are certain types of foods that you may eat that could contribute to staining your teeth. Foods that contain artificial dyes or naturally intense pigments can stay in your tooth enamel. After you have your teeth whitened, it is best to avoid the following foods for 3 to 5 days:

• Blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries
• Chocolate 
• Red meat
• Fruits such as mango, kiwi, and plum
• Beets and tomatoes
• Ketchup and red sauce
• Soy sauce
• Spinach
• Spices That may stay in your teeth, such as curry, turmeric, or paprika

These types of food will stain your teeth even before teeth whitening; however, their effects will be more significant after a teeth whitening treatment as your teeth are more vulnerable and stain more quickly due to being more porous.

#3. Avoid Eating Sugary or Acidic Foods and Drinks

Whitening your teeth is an excellent way to improve your smile, but it also temporarily weakens the pores (tubules) of your teeth. Consuming acidic or sugary foods will further increase the weakness of your enamel, so it is essential to avoid these types of foods and drinks. Many acidic and sugary foods also contain added artificial food coloring and could become stuck on the surface of your teeth, causing additional staining. Sugary, chewy, and acidic foods can also cause further damage to your teeth’ surface after a teeth whitening treatment. 

Here are some of the sugary, chewy, or acidic foods you want to avoid after a teeth whitening treatment:

• Candy with dyes and color, and sticky candy
• Ice cream and cookies
• Toffee and taffy
• Balsamic vinegar and other kinds of vinegar, as well
• Oranges, lemons, and limes
• Dark-pigmented sodas and soft drinks

#4. Avoid Using Tobacco Products and Cigarettes

People who commonly use tobacco products and cigarettes usually have prominent teeth staining. After teeth whitening, your teeth are more susceptible to staining, and it is crucial to avoid using tobacco products to prolong your teeth whitening treatment. Whether you use tobacco or cigarettes, one of the best ways to eliminate teeth staining is to cut out all tobacco products. By eliminating your use of tobacco products, your teeth will stay whiter longer, and you will also reduce other health risks.

#5. Avoid Using Colored Mouthwash or Toothpaste

It may surprise you; however, certain dental hygiene products could also stain your teeth. Colored mouthwash and toothpaste could cause your teeth to become stained, especially if you are using them during the first few days after your teeth whitening treatment. In addition, dental hygiene products with blue, red, orange, black, or purple dyes could cause staining. The best dental hygiene products are white or non-colored toothpaste and mouthwash for the best results.

#6. Avoid Eating or Drinking Foods and Drinks That Are Too Hot or Cold

Your teeth will more likely be more sensitive after a teeth whitening treatment, so avoiding anything with extreme temperatures is wise.

How To Get The Most Out of Your Teeth Whitening Treatment

We have told you what to avoid, and here are a few things you will want to ensure that you do after a teeth whitening treatment.

• Brush your teeth 2 to 3 times daily and floss regularly using a non-abrasive white toothpaste.
• Eating foods such as apples or celery can help clean your tooth’s surface
• Brushing your teeth before the colorful pigments can stain your teeth
• Use a straw for drinking beverages that may stain your teeth
• Regular cleanings with your dentist
• You should eat light-colored foods for the first few days, such as white fish, chickpeas, apples, chicken, cauliflower, yogurt, etc.

Good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist are the easiest and most effective ways to keep your teeth bright, white, and healthy.

Keep Your Smile Beautiful, White, And Healthy With Carrie Muzny DDS

A professional teeth whitening treatment will brighten your smile and boost your self-confidence.

At Carrie Muzny DDS., we offer our patients the highest quality dental services in the Woodlands and surrounding areas. Our office provides cosmetic dentistry, preventative and restorative dentistry, surgical procedures, professional teeth whitening, and complete family dentistry. Our highly acclaimed dentists are exceptionally trained in preventive techniques, continuously refine their skills and knowledge, and treat our patients with kindness and compassion.

Contact us today for an appointment or virtual consultation, and we will create a personalized treatment program to help you maintain excellent oral health and a beautiful smile.