When it comes to teeth whitening, many people think that the actual whitening itself is the only thing that will give you a dazzling smile. However, the at-home care after your teeth whitening is just as important. One of the easiest ways to keep your teeth white is to avoid certain foods and beverages that are known to stain or weaken your teeth.

With so many different food and drink items out there, how do you know which ones will keep your newly whitened teeth in the best shape? Read on to find out about six foods that should be avoided after teeth whitening.

Foods to avoid after teeth whitening

1. Acidic foods

Acidic foods are one of the biggest no-no’s when it comes to newly whitened teeth. During the whitening process, your enamel is slightly weakened from the bleach. Acidic foods may further weaken your enamel which can lead to increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods. Some of the biggest culprits include:

• Citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, oranges or grapefruits
• Tomatoes
• Pineapples
• Pickled foods, such as sauerkraut or pickles
• Processed meats

2. Dark-colored beverages

Coffee, tea and soda are some of the most common causes of tooth staining, and, in fact, could be part of the reason you are getting your teeth whitened in the first place. Coffee, tea, and soda all contain dark pigments that become trapped in the tiny pits and craters on the surface of your teeth and lead to stains.

Grape juice is another dark-colored beverage that you should avoid post teeth whitening. If you absolutely cannot go without your dark-colored beverage of choice, drink it through a straw and rinse your mouth out with water immediately afterward.

3. Dark sauces

The general rule of thumb when it comes to deciding what is safe to eat after teeth whitening is whether it will stain a white shirt. Dark-colored sauces definitely will, so you’ll want to avoid these. This includes tomato sauce, soy sauce, mustard and other dark-colored sauces.

4. Red wine

Red wine is one of the most important items to avoid after teeth whitening. We’ve all seen how a glass of red wine can give your smile a purple hue even when you are not post-whitening, so just imagine how much more susceptible you are after your treatment.

5. Foods containing dyes

This includes popsicles, candy and sports drinks. Your teeth are extra susceptible to staining right now, so you definitely want to avoid any foods or drinks that contain dyes, both natural and artificial.

6. Dark-colored fruits and vegetables

Dark-colored fruits and veggies should be avoided after your teeth whitening. Again, anything dark enough to stain a white shirt will stain your teeth. Here are some fruits and veggies to avoid:

• Berries
• Purple cabbage
• Grapes
• Carrots
• Beets
• Cherries
• Pomegranates
• Spinach or other dark, leafy greens

The bottom line

By avoiding certain foods that are known to stain your teeth, you can maintain a bright white smile long after you’ve whitened your teeth. Combine this with strong oral health practices and you will have a beautiful and healthy set of teeth.

Request an appointment here: https://www.dentistinlongbranch.com or call Garden State Healthy Smiles PC at (732) 504-6914 for an appointment in our Long Branch office.

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