Considered to be indicative of health, happiness, and success, it is little wonder that bright, white teeth are among the most sought-after cosmetic dental treatments.
As many as 96% of people state that they believe an attractive smile makes them more appealing to the opposite sex, and 74% think that an unattractive smile can negatively affect their career success¹. The impact that whitening treatment can have on your confidence and self-esteem is tremendous, and this can follow you into your professional and personal life.
With such demand for this type of smile transformation, there has been an influx of whitening treatments on the market. However, professional in-office whitening is still considered far superior to all the alternatives. If you have scheduled teeth whitening treatments with us, you are probably excited to see your smile transformation.
However, in order to get the best possible outcome from your whitening process you need to ensure that you follow the aftercare instructions you are given, particularly in regard to what you should eat and drink after your treatment.
This is because teeth have tiny holes in them that can take some time to heal properly after whitening. If you eat the wrong foods before these holes close, coloring from the food can get into them and cause your teeth to discolor again.
Many people refer to the types of food recommended after teeth whitening treatment as the ‘white diet’. For optimal results from your teeth whitening treatment, this diet should be followed for at least 48 to 72 hours after your whitening treatment to promote a more effective whitening treatment.
What can I eat and drink after my teeth whitening treatment?
Some of the foods and drinks that you can enjoy while following the ‘white diet’ includes:
- White meats such as turkey, chicken and pork. These should be served plain, and without spices that could discolor your teeth.
- White fish.
- White rice. Again, this should be plain.
- White vegetables such as cauliflower.
- Peeled potatoes, cooked the way you like them, but without seasoning.
- Bananas.
- Egg whites.
- White pasta with white sauce.
- Skimmed milk.
- Clear drinks such as water, lemonade, white wine and vodka.
There are some white foods that should be avoided during this time. These include white bread and white chocolate. We will be able to give you specific advice as to which white foods should be firmly off the menu during the days immediately after your whitening procedure.
What should I avoid after teeth whitening treatment?
It is just as important to understand which foods, drinks and habits should be avoided immediately after your teeth whitening treatment to promote a healthier, whiter smile.
Habits to avoid
One of the most important habits to avoid for 24 hours after your whitening treatment is smoking. Smoking directly after whitening can allow nicotine into the pores in your teeth and cause almost immediate discoloration to set in. If you use an electronic cigarette, try and avoid using it as much as possible.
Food to avoid
For 24 hours after your teeth whitening treatment, try not to consume any food that you would consider capable of staining a white item of clothing. This can even include red meat, soy sauce, colored vegetables or fruit, colored sauces and chocolate.
Drink to avoid
Dark-staining drinks should also be avoided for at least 48 hours. Some of the most common beverages to avoid, include: tea, coffee, red wine, colored alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and fruit juice.
If you have undergone teeth whitening with us, we will help ensure that the results of your treatment last as long as possible. Dr. Qureshi will provide you with specific aftercare advice, that you should follow closely, so that you can enjoy whiter, brighter teeth for longer.