6 Foods And Drinks To Avoid After Teeth Whitening
Discoloration of your teeth can occur naturally, simply over time, and does not necessarily reflect poor dental hygiene habits. Having said that, there are plenty of food and drinks that can contribute to staining and discoloring your teeth. Teeth whitening can be an expensive cosmetic process, with some in-office procedures costing upwards of $1,000, and it is one that is not permanent, so it is important to pay attention to which food and drinks you're consuming after such a pricey process in order to keep your teeth their whitest. Included in this brief article are 6 foods and drinks to avoid after teeth whitening, but talk with a cosmetic dentist to learn about other things that could harm your teeth.
Coffee
Coffee is one of the most difficult things for people to avoid. Many people wake up every morning and expect that cup of joe to make sure that their day goes without incident. Unfortunately, coffee is one of the biggest contributors to staining teeth. Your tooth's enamel contains microscopic pits, and dark-colored coffee becomes embedded in these small pits and causes mild discoloration. If it is imperative that you consume coffee after a whitening procedure, do so through a straw so that it does not directly touch your teeth.
Red Wine
For other people, a glass of red wine at the end of the day is equally as important as that morning cup of coffee is for others. For good reason, too. Red wine has numerous purported health benefits, such as the anti-oxidant resveratrol, and serves as a great way to take the edge off at the end of a long day. Like its morning-based brethren, it also is a leading contributor to tooth staining. It is best to avoid red wine as long as you can after a teeth-whitening procedure.
Chocolate
Chocolate, like red wine, has a long list of purported health benefits attached to its delicious taste. In addition to lowering one's blood pressure, chocolate, if reasonably portioned, can also diminish your chances of heart disease. Having said that, chocolate can also stain those pearly whites of yours, especially if you had just received a whitening procedure. Try your best to avoid chocolate for at least a week after the procedure.
Soy Sauce
If you're a fan of East Asian cuisine, it is with great sadness that one must inform you that soy sauce is one of the many types of sauces you must avoid after a teeth-whitening procedure. Due to the fact that it is vinegar based and quite dark, it can stick to your teeth and wind up reversing all of the cash you sank into the teeth whitening procedure. If you're going to dig into a Chinese or Japanese meal, avoid the soy sauce at all costs.
Citrus
In addition to the foods that can stain your teeth, there are other foods to avoid since they can actually cause you pain. You will find that your teeth will be extra sensitive following a teeth-whitening procedure, so it is best to avoid foods such as citrus fruits. Lemons, mangos and grapefruits all contain acids that can cause you acute pain during the first few weeks following your procedure.
Tomato Sauce
As with soy sauce diminishing your chances of being able to enjoy a Chinese meal to its fullest extent, you won't be eating too many Italian dishes following a teeth-whitening procedure either. Tomato sauce is thick, and its vibrant, saucy, red color can greatly contribute to your teeth being able to stain and discolor easily following a teeth-whitening procedure. If you can't resist that slice of pizza, eat a spinach salad or broccoli before indulging in pizza sauce. These greens create a barrier-like film over your teeth, which will help prevent them from staining.
A teeth-whitening procedure can be just what you needed, especially if you are finding that your teeth are becoming increasingly discolored as you age. Just remember to avoid the aforementioned foods!
