Food And Drinks To Avoid After Undergoing Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment

Most tooth stains that linger after brushing don’t respond well to the store-bought DIY methods of teeth whitening. The only sure way to restore the bright, white smile you once had and do away with that embarrassing yellow hue is through professional teeth whitening. Not only will you get your winning smile back, but you’ll get a boost in your confidence as well.

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Amazing results can last a long time

Deidra Bird Kokel, DDS, understands your desire to flash your beautiful smile and boost your self-esteem. The short in-office whitening procedure she offers is designed to produce substantial results, which are immediately apparent. In order to provide such results, professional teeth whitening requires a strong bleaching agent. That’s how teeth become several shades whiter in under an hour.

Professionally whitened teeth can be an investment, but with the proper care, your pearly whites will remain so for up to three years. That’s a lot of bang for your buck. So what does it take to ensure your white teeth stay white? Obviously a flawless dental regimen is most helpful, but there are some other ways to prolong your show-stopping smile, including watching what you eat and drink.

Food and beverages that threaten your pearly whites

After your professional teeth whitening procedure, Dr. Kokel advises you of your immediate do’s and don’ts to carry you through the initial 24 hours. Going forward, it’s good practice to review those foods and beverages that can stain your newly whitened teeth. You should cut back on the offending food and drinks, but you don’t need to avoid them entirely.

Coffee

Whether you’re strictly a coffee-in-the-morning kind of person or someone who enjoys their favorite brew all day long, it is staining your teeth. The high acid properties of coffee wear on your enamel, and this thinning enamel allows discoloration to show through. It also promotes staining from everything else you eat and drink.

Tea

Iced or hot tea poses an even bigger threat to your newly whitened teeth than coffee. Tea is acidic, and it’s also loaded with tannins. Tannins are plant-based compounds that encourage stains.

Wine

You may assume that only red wine stains your teeth. While it’s true this heart-healthy (in moderation) adult beverage can leave a stain on your smile, white wine isn’t as innocent as you might believe. White wine is high in tannins and acid, which leave your teeth more vulnerable to other stains.

Tomato-based products

Spaghetti sauce, your favorite salsa, and most any tomato product can erode your enamel, allowing this vibrant red fruit to leave its mark on your teeth.

Lemons

It seems like lemon water is catching on for many different reasons. People drink it first thing in the morning and throughout the day. But this citrus-spiked treat can have an adverse effect on your teeth. Again, with such a high acid content, lemons can damage your enamel, leaving your teeth extremely vulnerable to stains.

Soft drinks, sports drinks, and energy drinks

These popular beverages can help you power through your day in much the same way as coffee and tea. But these drinks — especially the carbonated or sugary kind — damage the enamel, promoting tooth decay, and the artificial colors can stain your teeth.

Bold-colored fruit

Blueberries, cherries, blackberries, cranberries, and other fruit recognized for their deep color can stain your teeth. If they’re in a pie, jam, or juice containing sugar, the risk is higher due to the acidic damage sugar can pose to your enamel.

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What to do when you indulge

Should you decide to indulge in any of these foods or drinks, you need to have a plan in place to diminish your risk of retaining your beautiful teeth. Brush your teeth after your slice of blueberry pie or glass of merlot. If you enjoy coffee or tea on a regular basis, keep your toothbrush handy and invest in a toothpaste with a whitening agent.

If you can’t brush your teeth immediately after consuming a staining food or drink, use plain water to swish the remaining food particles from your mouth. Use a straw whenever possible. A straw helps prevent the staining beverage from contacting your teeth.

Keep your regular dental cleaning appointments. Dr. Kokel can check for any staining, as well as cavities, cracks, and other tooth damage. Your regular cleanings help to keep teeth polished and remove some topical stains before they embed.

For more on how you can obtain the dazzling smile of your dreams and maintain it for up to three years, contact Dr. Kokel’s office. She sees patients from all over the Leesburg, Virginia, area and looks forward to helping you boost your confidence and achieve the smile of your dreams.