Professional teeth whitening treatment can make your teeth up to 2 or 3 shades whiter in just one sitting. Typically, these effects last for up to three years, depending on person-to-person. For instance, if you’re a smoker, your teeth might see signs of staining or yellowing much sooner.
By limiting the consumption or avoiding certain foods and drinks, you can prolong the results of the whitening and keep your smile looking bright as ever.
Here is a list of foods and drinks that you should avoid after professional teeth whitening treatment.
Red Wine
The deep color of red wine can stain your teeth right after 2–3 drinks. Red wine contains a natural component called tannin. Once consumed, tannin instantly binds itself to your teeth, making them more susceptible to stains.
Dark Beverages
Your teeth have tiny pores on them. When you consume dark colored beverages such as tea, coffee, sports drinks or soda, these little pores on your teeth absorb the liquid.
Once absorbed, the liquid gets trapped in these pores, making your teeth appear dull and stained.
To keep your teeth looking white, make sure to avoid these dark colored beverages. If you can’t eliminate them completely from your diet, use a straw to limit its contact with your teeth.
Vibrant Colored Fruits
Though snacking on fruits is considered a healthy habit that’s good for your oral health, you should avoid consuming brightly colored fruits after a teeth whitening treatment.
The vibrant pigments in fruits such as blueberries, raspberries and strawberries can easily stain your teeth.
In addition to eating, avoid drinking fruit juices to keep your teeth white for a more extended period. Again, if you must, use a straw.
Foods with Dark-colored Sauces
Avoiding foods with tomato sauce or ketchup should be pretty obvious as their bright red color can easily stain your teeth.
However, there are some less obvious sauces that also need to be avoided in order to keep your teeth looking white for as long as possible.
Examples of foods with dark-colored sauces include:
- Anything containing soy sauce
- Vinegar-based condiments like dressings, marinades and sauces
- Brightly colored condiments such as red, yellow or dark brown in color
- Meats covered with dark sauces or marinated with dark-colored marinades
The longevity of teeth whitening treatment is affected by various factors and differs from person to person. However, by avoiding deeply pigmented foods and beverages, together with additional steps such as regular brushing and flossing, you can keep your teeth looking bright.
Get professional teeth whitening by some of the best dentists in Woodland Hills, CA.
Get in touch with our expert dentists at West Hills Smiles to get your treatment started. Call us at (818) 346-4303 and get a same-day appointment.