What Foods Should I Avoid After Teeth Whitening?
Table of Contents
Why You Need to Be Careful After Making Your Teeth White
When you get your teeth made white, they need special care. Your teeth have tiny holes that are open after whitening. Bad foods can get in these holes and make your teeth not white again.
Let’s learn what foods to stay away from after you make your teeth shine!
Foods to Avoid Right After Teeth Whitening
After you make your teeth white, be careful for 48-72 hours. This is when your teeth can get stains the most.
Bad Foods List
- Dark Drinks: Coffee, tea, red wine
- Colored Juices: Orange juice, grape juice
- Saucy Foods: Soy sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce
- Bright Fruits: Berries, cherries
- Candy and Sweets: Colored candy, chocolate
Why These Foods Are Bad for White Teeth
Let’s see why these foods can hurt your new white smile.
| Food/Drink | Why It’s Bad | How Long to Wait | How Bad It Is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee & Tea | Has tannins that make stains. Makes less spit which makes stains worse. | 48-72 hours | Very Bad |
| Red Wine | Has color and tannins that stain teeth 2 times faster after whitening. | 72 hours | Very Very Bad |
| Dark Sauces | Deep colors get into teeth holes. 80% of people get stains from these. | 48 hours | Very Bad |
| Citrus Fruits | Very sour and can hurt teeth shell. Makes teeth easy to stain. | 24-48 hours | Bad |
| Berries | Have strong colors that stick to teeth. 70% of people get stains from these. | 72 hours | Very Bad |
| Soda & Sports Drinks | Very sour and have colors. Hurts teeth and makes stains. | 72 hours (or always) | Very Bad |
| Curry/Turmeric | Yellow color is hard to clean off. Need a dentist to clean it. | Always Be Careful | Very Very Bad |
| Hard Snacks | Can scratch teeth and make spots for stains. | 24 hours | Bad |
What Can I Eat After Teeth Whitening?
You can still eat good foods after teeth whitening! These foods are safe for your new white smile.
Good Foods List:
- White Meat: Chicken, turkey, white fish
- White Rice and Plain Pasta
- White Bread (no crust)
- Milk and Plain Yogurt
- Bananas and Peeled Apples
- White Cheese
- Clear Soups
- Water (lots of it!)
The White Diet Plan
Here is a simple plan to help you eat right after teeth whitening:
Day 1-3 (First 72 Hours):
- Breakfast: White yogurt with banana
- Lunch: Chicken with white rice
- Dinner: White fish with pasta (no sauce)
- Drinks: Water, milk, clear tea
After using custom dental whitening plates, be extra careful with what you eat and drink.
How Long Should I Avoid Bad Foods?
The most important time is the first 48-72 hours after whitening. This is when your teeth can get stains the most.
For the best white teeth:
- First 24 hours: Only eat from the good foods list
- First 48 hours: No dark foods or drinks
- First 72 hours: Be very careful with what you eat
- After 1 week: Still be careful with very dark foods
Tips to Keep Your Teeth White Longer
Try these smart ideas to keep your teeth white for a long time:
- Use a straw for dark drinks
- Rinse your mouth with water after eating
- Brush your teeth after meals (wait 30 minutes)
- Use a whitening toothpaste once a week
- Don’t smoke or use tobacco
- Get check-ups with your dentist
Special Tools to Help Keep Teeth White
Using teeth whitening mouth guards can help maintain your white smile after professional treatments.
If you have dental implants, be extra careful as stains can look uneven between natural teeth and implants.
Common Questions About Eating After Teeth Whitening
Can I drink coffee after 48 hours?
You can drink coffee after 48 hours, but use a straw and rinse your mouth after. Coffee has tannins that can make stains.
What if I eat a dark food by accident?
If you eat a dark food by accident, rinse your mouth with water right away. Then brush your teeth with a soft brush after 30 minutes.
How long will my teeth be sensitive?
Most people have sensitive teeth for 1-3 days after whitening. Use special toothpaste for sensitive teeth to help.
Foods to Always Be Careful With
Even after the first week, some foods can still make your teeth less white over time:
- Coffee and Tea
- Red Wine
- Cola and Dark Sodas
- Tomato Sauce
- Curry and Turmeric
- Berries (blueberries, blackberries)
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Soy Sauce
How Post-Whitening Food Choices Affect Different People
Your enamel (the outside of your teeth) is special to you. Some people have thinner enamel that gets stains more easily. If you have thin enamel, be extra careful with foods after whitening.
Why Acid is Bad for White Teeth
Acidic foods like lemons, oranges, and sports drinks can make your enamel soft. Soft enamel gets stains more easily.
The pH levels of drinks matter:
- Water: pH 7 (good)
- Coffee: pH 5 (not good)
- Soda: pH 2.5 (very bad)
- Sports drinks: pH 3 (bad)
How to Fix Stains If They Happen
If you get stains on your white teeth, you can:
- Use a whitening toothpaste (not too much)
- Ask your dentist about a touch-up whitening
- Use whitening trays at home
- Brush with baking soda (ask dentist first)
What Experts Say About Teeth Whitening
The American Dental Association (ADA) says that taking care of your teeth after whitening helps the white color last longer.
Dentists say that the first 48 hours are when your teeth need the most care. The tiny holes in your teeth are open, and colors can get in.
Tips From Real People Who Had Teeth Whitening
Many people say these tips helped them keep white teeth:
- “I used a straw for all drinks for a week.”
- “I carried a water bottle to rinse after every meal.”
- “I ate white foods only for 3 days.”
- “I used sensitive toothpaste before whitening to get ready.”
How Different Whitening Methods Need Different Care
There are many ways to make teeth white:
- Dentist Office Whitening: Strongest, need most care after
- Home Trays: Medium strong, need good care after
- Whitening Strips: Less strong, still need care
- Whitening Toothpaste: Gentle, need less special care
If you used strong whitening at the dentist, you need to be extra careful with food and drinks.
Why Your Tooth Health Matters for Whitening
Healthy teeth stay white longer after whitening. Before you whiten, make sure:
- No cavities
- Healthy gums
- Clean teeth (no plaque)
Natural Ways to Keep Teeth White After Whitening
Some natural foods can help keep teeth white:
- Apples: Clean teeth as you eat
- Celery: Scrubs teeth and makes spit
- Cheese: Has calcium to make teeth strong
- Carrots: Clean teeth and make spit
How Long White Teeth Last
If you are careful with food and drinks, your white teeth can last:
- 6 months to 1 year for office whitening
- 3-6 months for home trays
- 1-3 months for whitening strips
To make the white last longer, avoid the bad foods in this article!
When to Call Your Dentist
Call your dentist if:
- Your teeth hurt for more than 3 days
- Your gums are very red or hurt
- Your teeth look spotty or not even white
- You have questions about what to eat
Get Ready for Your Next Whitening
When it’s time for your next whitening, get ready by:
- Eating less dark foods for a week before
- Having your teeth cleaned
- Using sensitive toothpaste
- Planning your “white diet” ahead
Remember These Main Points
- First 48-72 hours are most important
- Avoid dark, colored, and acidic foods
- Eat white foods like chicken, rice, and bananas
- Use a straw for dark drinks
- Rinse mouth after eating
- Have a dentist check-up soon
Taking good care of your teeth after whitening will give you a bright smile that lasts a long time!
Conclusion
Now you know what foods to avoid after teeth whitening! Remember, the first 72 hours are most important. Eat white foods, drink lots of water, and stay away from dark, colored foods and drinks.
Your new white smile is worth taking care of!
