Oral health is important. Teeth whitening is something that is common today and can be a very exciting time. It's an event that many people have been anticipating, and saving up towards for a long time. Of course, the reason is you want to brighten your smile and have a beautiful set of gleaming white teeth.
You may even decide to throw a big party, invite all of your friends and family over to show off your new pearly whites.
Here is the scoop to help you answer what can I eat after teeth whitening!
What Can You Eat After Teeth Whitening?
Once the procedure is over, you may be so excited about the new smile that you go out to eat immediately. This might not be a smart choice since you want to protect your teeth at all costs. Remember what the dentist told you before the treatment began?
They likely advised against drinking any hot or cold foods or beverages immediately following your teeth whitening because this will weaken your enamel and leave them a bit sensitive, allow for cavities, erosion, surface stains, and other problems.
Best Foods To Eat After Teeth Whitening
Since whitening your teeth is done using a bleaching agent like hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide to get that white smile, you want to make sure you know the different foods to eat and also to avoid afterwards so you don’t affect your tooth enamel. Here is a list of foods to eat that do not contain strong pigments:
Rice
It may seem weird to go with rice as the number one food option after teeth whitening on the first day after. But, this is exactly what you should be doing right after your treatment! It might not be a part of your usual diet but it is one of the best types of foods to keep your whiter smile. Rice contains a lot of moisture which helps to rebalance the enamel in your mouth and won’t damage the surface of your teeth.
Cheese
You can eat cheese even though it might get stuck between your teeth because it's calcium rich and therefore great for restoring enamel that has been weakened by teeth whitening. Just make sure to brush afterwards.
Fruits & Vegetables
Other good foods and a great way to help your body adjust is to a wide range of foods in the fruits and vegetable category. These specific foods are high in vitamins that help rebuild enamel. If possible, buy organic produce so you can be sure they won't cause any damage to your teeth and make sure to avoid the really juicy and acidic fruits!
Eggs
Another great food option is eggs since they are full of protein which helps rebuild teeth as well as other nutrients that will help strengthen enamel, contributing to overall good dental health. They may also help eliminate headaches due to sensitivity from whitening.
Yogurt
If you want a tasty snack after teeth whitening, consider eating yogurt instead of other types of dairy-based products. This is one of the common foods to eat that will keep your mouth moisturized and prevent cracking in the corners of your lips. Plus it's perfect for helping with digestion too.
Water
You should always try to drink a lot of water, at least one gallon a day so you keep the enamel in your mouth strong and healthy! This is especially important after having your teeth whitened since such treatments will cause them more susceptible to cavities and other issues. The more hydrated you are, the less likely it's going to happen.
Tip: If you need something salty, choose pretzels as these do not contain sugars like many other snacks out there.
You want to eat foods that help rebuild enamel and make you feel full without causing tooth decay or problems later on. These tips may take a little bit of time before they become habits but over time you'll find yourself craving popcorn instead
Worst Foods To Eat After Teeth Whitening
One of our dietary tips is that it may not be smart to go out and eat a lot of fried foods after a teeth whitening procedure. This is a general rule of thumb in cosmetic dentistry just like not wearing a white t-shirt out to eat, and or after any professional treatment to see a brighter smile.
Of course, if you're going to do this, make sure it's not right away. Take time to take proper care of your teeth, and to practice good at home care to get the perfect smile! The fats and oils in these foods can take a toll on your enamel as well as in severe cases, such foods can cause tooth decay and you may see some comprehensive color changes.
Here is a list of things to avoid and that have dark pigments when you have sensitive teeth and to get you optimal results:
Excessive sugar
You may love eating candy or other sugary treats but try not to indulge too frequently as these are the wrong foods to eat after treatment. Just because dark chocolate is healthier, does not mean it is good for your teeth, same with anything that has a bit of a crunch, or white chocolate!
These will only lead to cavities and other dental issues down the road so a good rule of thumb is to stay away from them for at least two weeks following your teeth whitening session so you have no extra cost.
Soda & Energy Drinks
These are not great options and you should have great pride if you avoid them. They contain either high amounts of sugar or have ingredients that are bad your overall health including caffeine which can increase anxiety, insomnia and other problems.
Alcohol
It's best to avoid drinking any alcoholic drinks like white wine for at least two weeks following your teeth whitening session since they are acidic in nature.
This is one of the common causes of tooth discoloration, and this also means they can cause erosion of the enamel which leads to pain, increased sensitivity, and more over time. Plus, the after-effects of alcohol on your breath will make you self-conscious throughout your day!
Acidic Foods
Here are some examples of foods that are acidic and are not good for your teeth because they break down the enamel. It's important to limit these foods after having teeth whitening treatment to keep teeth as a white shirt.
Tomato sauce or specifically dark sauces, like red pasta sauce, soy sauce, alfredo red sauces, white sauce, or anything like wine can be staining and harsh. Also, citrus fruits can be very acidic which is why you should avoid drinking orange juice, other fruit juices, and even fizzy drinks.
Avoid these to keep your bright smile.
It is Important To Drink Water After Teeth Whitening
One of your first questions might be how to avoid all these foods and not be hungry after one of these cosmetic dental treatments. So now what can you do instead of stuffing yourself with food post-whitening (or at home teeth whitening) to keep that pearly white color?
First things first, drink water! You can drink water until your mouth feels normal again! This may take up to two hours depending on how much time has passed. After the whitening process, your original teeth will be a little sore and your teeth may feel sensitive or gritty from the whitening material.
This is because the whitening gel has been sitting on your pearly whites for quite some time.
Eating After Teeth Whitening
Once you know that the sensitivity has died down, you should start to eat as usual again, but this time with whiter teeth. You don't have to wait until your next mealtime since this would just be torture to hold back from already being hungry!
Start off small by eating soft foods like applesauce, pudding, yogurt, and bananas. Here are some foods from the white foods list if you want to follow a diet like the white diet, which includes plain foods like white rice, white fish, white cheese, white bread, egg whites, yogurt, etc, are just some of the good choices once sensitivity is gone.
These are great options that are easy to chew and won't irritate your enamel any more than it already has been post-whitening session. After a few days of softly cooked veggies and soups, it's safe to go back to eating your regular meals. Just remember that if your teeth still feel sensitive it might be a good idea to wait a few more days before digging in.
You Can Brush After Teeth Whitening
The last thing you should be aware of is how soon it's safe to brush and floss again after the professional teeth whitening treatment has ended. You can absolutely use your toothbrush and toothpaste, but the enamel on your white teeth might still be weak and porous.
So, keep the pressure light when brushing, and don't scrub too hard when using an interdental cleaner such as floss, tape, or small brushes. It will take about a week for things to return to normal in this department!
Food to Avoid Eating After Teeth Whitening
If you want your pearly whites to stay nice and bright, there is always a certain list of foods that should be avoided after teeth whitening. Acidic foods like citrus fruits (specifically oranges or anything with lemon in it) could potentially damage your enamel. Foods high in sugar content will also do the same thing so avoid them at all costs!
What Not to Drink After Teeth Whitening
When it comes to drinks to avoid red wine, fruit juices, coffee, tea and anything that is a hot or cold. This goes for really cold food as well (try to stick to room temperature foods). Since you love these beverages, it might be difficult to stay away from them but at least try to drink them in moderation during the days after your teeth whitening session.
Remember to Brush & Floss
The most important thing is to use every care when brushing and flossing so as not to damage your enamel any further than it already has been. A good tip would be to rinse with some mouthwash since this will help restore your mouth's natural ph levels by removing any traces of acidic foods or drinks while killing bad breath-causing bacteria too!
Remember After Teeth Whitening
While it may be hard to avoid eating your favorite foods such as red meat, you should do whatever it takes to stay away from these items. Even if they are normally healthy choices. You'll find the list both surprising and not so surprising at the same time. Also, it is important to stay away from any consumer products that are harmful in general like tobacco products.
Remember to follow all post-whitening advice especially when it comes to diet because this can spell success or disaster for future visits with your dentist.
If you're still unsure about eating something new, just remember this rule- if it's not safe for a baby then it's probably not safe for you either! This is because the enamel of a child will soften much faster than an adult due to their smaller tooth size and the fluoride found in the tap water.
If there is any doubt whatsoever, always consult your dentist before attempting to eat something. Now that you know what to avoid and how to take care of yourself after whitening, book your appointment today!
For more great scoop check out these articles:
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- 4 Possible Reasons Behind Your Toothache
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