After investing time and effort into teeth whitening treatments, it’s a smart move to research how to keep your results as long as possible. While brushing your teeth can certainly help a lot, changing your diet may be for the best. The food you eat has a huge impact on the color of your teeth. So, to ensure your newly brightened smile lasts, you should watch what you bite into.
Keep reading to learn which foods are the biggest offenders when it comes to teeth whitening.
1. Dark-Colored Drinks
Beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, and soda contain strong pigments that can stain your teeth. Avoiding these, especially just after your teeth whitening treatment, can help prevent new stains from forming.
2. Foods with High Acidity
Acidic foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vinegar-based dressings can weaken tooth enamel, making it more susceptible to staining. Additionally, foods with high acid content can worsen tooth sensitivity which sometimes happens just after teeth whitening. Limiting your intake of acidic foods can help protect your enamel and maintain your whitened smile.
3. Various Berries
While berries are nutritious and delicious, their intense pigments can stain your teeth. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries are all common culprits when it comes to tooth discoloration. If you still want to enjoy berries, be sure to rinse your mouth with water afterward to minimize their staining power.
4. Dark Sauces
Sauces like soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and tomato sauce have rich, deep colors and can stain your teeth. Try to use lighter-colored substitutes, dilute the sauce with water, or use less in your cooking. This will minimize the risk of staining your newly whitened teeth.
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Certain spices and condiments, such as curry and mustard have vibrant pigments that can stick to your teeth and stain. Avoiding these, or consuming them in moderation, can help preserve your smile after teeth whitening.
You can make a huge difference in the longevity of your whitening treatment by being mindful of your diet. Your teeth are the most vulnerable to stains for three to five days after whitening. So, try to wait until then to reintroduce any of these into your diet. Avoiding these staining foods while brushing and flossing regularly will keep your pearly whites protected for months to come!
About the Practice
If you’re looking to dazzle and wow with a brighter smile, Dr. Suzanne Najjar and Dr. Caitlyn Le can provide powerful and long-lasting teeth whitening treatments at Amaze Dental. They use Zoom! whitening products that can lighten your enamel by several shades in just one visit. Or you can take home a kit to take your treatment at your own pace. Call (972) 230-1100 to schedule a teeth whitening treatment or visit the website to explore other treatments they provide.