Foods to Avoid after Teeth Whitening

A bright white smile is a highly desirable trait, which is why Americans spend about $1.4 billion annually on teeth whitening. Not only is it effective, but it is also cheaper and less invasive than procedures such as porcelain veneers.

If you are one of the 100 million Americans whitening your teeth, then you will want to maximize the effectiveness of the procedure by minimizing staining agents the days following it.

Teeth whitening, when performed with our at-home or in-office treatments, is an effective way to remove stains. However, it leaves your teeth with an increased susceptibility to staining for a few days afterwards.

Below is a list of specific foods that you need to avoid after a teeth whitening treatment, but a simple rule to help is that you should avoid anything that would stain a white sheet.

Drinks are a known culprit of tooth discoloration. How many times have you seen reddened teeth from someone who had too much wine?

After your whitening treatment, remember that white and clear liquids are okay, but the rest are best sipped through a straw to avoid contact with your new pearly whites.

Avoid these beverages for several days following teeth whitening:

• Coffee, soda, sports drinks, tea, and red wine
• Colored juices such as grape juice, tomato juice, cranberry juice, and orange juice

Here are some foods you should also avoid to make your teeth whitening treatment last:

• Dark chocolate
• Bright colored fruits and vegetables like blueberries, strawberries, beets, carrots, spinach, and tomatoes
• Dark marinades and sauces like soy sauce and tomato sauces

Tooth whitening is the most commonly requested cosmetic dentistry procedure. If you are going to invest in teeth whitening, make sure to protect your investment by avoiding harmful beverages and foods.

Please contact the Practice at Maxwell Place using the form on this page or call 201-792-9400 today to schedule a teeth whitening consultation. Dr. Frank DePaola serves patients in Hoboken, Jersey City and throughout Hudson County, New Jersey.