Yes, you can celebrate the fact that teeth whitening dental procedures are becoming more affordable and accessible, while promising a higher degree of success than ever. It has also become one of the most popular treatment options in the world of cosmetic dentistry. However having whiter teeth does not mean you no longer have to take care of your teeth. Whether you are trying to avoid staining your teeth or you just had your teeth whitened, you would do well to avoid certain types of food that can stain your enamel.
If you don’t look after your teeth post-whitening, you risk undoing your #perfectshadeofwhite – a terrible waste after removing the stains and discolouration.
So, to help you maintain that whiteness for a longer period, you would need to adjust your eating habits. Here are some of the food and beverages that you should avoid:
Acidic foods and beverages
Acidic foods and beverages alters the pH balance if the mouth which makes your teeth more susceptible to damage when you consume more acidic foods. Some people complain of minor discomforts and irritation following the teeth whitening procedure, which may also be attributed to the consumption of foods and beverages that have acidic properties. You should also avoid citrus fruits that can erode your enamel, and expose the underlying dentin that has a yellowish hue.
What to avoid: Fizzy drinks, pickles, vinegar, pineapples, grapefruits, oranges, etc.
Acidic foods and beverages such as fizzy drinks alter the pH balance if the mouth which makes your teeth more susceptible to damage.
Staining foods
This is a pretty obvious one. You should try to avoid all types of foods and beverages that are prone to stain your teeth. Basically, any types of foods and beverages that would leave stain marks on a white t-shirt – usually a hint of yellowish hue even after washing it – can be considered staining foods. Rule of thumb: If you find it difficult to remove the stains from a piece of clothing, there’s a good chance it would be difficult removing that stain from your teeth as well.
What to avoid: Marinades, sauces, gravies, blueberries, beets, dark chocolate, tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar, spices (i.e. turmeric powder, saffron, curry powder), etc.
Any types of foods and beverages – such as dark chocolate – that would leave stain marks on a white t-shirt can be considered staining foods.
Dark-coloured liquids
It is little wonder why your cosmetic dentist would advise you to stay off dark-coloured beverages – like tea, coffee, cola or red wine – for at least three days following a teeth whitening procedure. That’s because during this period, your teeth are still ‘soft’ and more prone to absorb what they come into contact with. If you have to drink these beverages, your dentist would advise that you use a straw so that there is minimal contact, at least for your front teeth.
What to avoid: Coffee, cola, tea red wine, juices (flavours to avoid: Grapes, tomatoes, raspberries, cranberries, blueberries, tomatoes, cherries) etc.
Very hot/cold beverages
When your teeth expand or contract due to the temperature changes in your mouth, they become more susceptible to absorbing stains. You should avoid drinking beverages that will create the extreme temperature changes in your mouth like very hot/cold liquids.
What to avoid: Foods and beverages that are still piping hot.
Avoid drinking beverages such as piping hot tea or coffee that will create the extreme temperature changes for your teeth.
