Once you get your aesthetic results after a professional whitening treatment, you should do your best to preserve them. After all, you invested in your smile, so you’d naturally want to make sure you enjoy it for as long as possible. One way you can do this is by avoiding certain foods and drinks. Your teeth are more susceptible to stains after your service, so here’s what you should keep off your plate for the time being.
1.) Things That Are Acidic
While acidic items may not directly cause discoloration, they can increase your risk for it even more. Pickles, processed meats, grapefruit, oranges, and limes are some that wear down your enamel as you eat them. You might also end up with sensitivity to hot and cold things if you overindulge in these as well.
2.) Dark Sauces and Drinks
Tomato sauce, mustard, red wine, and coffee may be in your routine, but these are full of dark particles. They find their way into the tiny pores on your enamel and hold on. While you may not be able to fully give some of these up, try your best to limit them for a short bit to reduce your risk of stains.
3.) Some Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are great for your oral and overall health, but certain pigmented ones may spell trouble. Carrots, spinach, beets, cherries, berries, and pomegranates lead to discoloration if you aren’t careful. Reach for options like broccoli, celery, pears, bananas, and coconuts instead.
4.) Dyed Foods
This option is a bit more obvious than the rest, but a reminder doesn’t hurt. Over time, these can dull your smile when you eat them or let them linger in your mouth. Candy, popsicles, and sports drinks are some to be aware of right after your whitening treatment.
In the end, a good hack to see if something is safe to have after your cosmetic service is: if it can stain a white shirt, then it can do the same for your teeth. Try your best to avoid them after you get your grin brightened for just a short while. While some may be easier to steer clear of, you can also rinse your mouth to reduce your risk of discoloration. Keep up with brushing and flossing, and you can show off your results a longer time.
About the Author
Dr. Holly Maier earned her dental degree from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. She is dedicated to helping the Shelburne community get the whiter smiles they love with safe and effective teeth whitening. By customizing your treatment to you, Dr. Maier can get you the results you love while helping you maintain them afterward. If you want to touch up your bright grin, schedule an appointment or call her office at (802) 985-9700.