A Guide on What to Eat After Getting Teeth Whitened
A warm smile is the universal language of happiness, and while that is indeed true for many people, the simple fact of the matter is that many people out there happen to feel particularly self-conscious about their smile, or specifically, the colour of their teeth.
While slightly discoloured teeth are actually a good thing as they’re a sign of strong and healthy teeth, many people do consider them unsightly, and they can cause people a great deal of emotional distress. The good news, however, is that teeth whitening procedures are now very common with dentists, and the results speak for themselves.
If you’re thinking of having your teeth whitened you are going to have to pay special attention to what you can and cannot eat, which is why we’ve compiled this guide on what to eat after getting teeth whitened.
If you’re unsure about what you should and should not consume after having your teeth whitened, this guide should definitely help.
How long after teeth whitening can you eat normally?
One of the most common questions people ask when getting their teeth whitened is how long afterwards until they are permitted to eat normally?
Obviously, we need food to survive and there’s nothing worse than hunger pains, so people obviously are concerned about whether or not they can eat normally after they get their teeth whitened.
According to dental experts, most people are okay to eat normally after 24 hours, though in some cases it can take up to 72 hours. Your best bet is to consult your dentist and ask them outright, after telling them about your dietary habits of course.
Foods you can eat after teeth whitening
As we’re looking at what to eat after getting teeth whitened, here’s a list of some of the most popular and common foods that people can consume after the procedure.
Please be aware that this is just a list of a few common and popular foods, and they are by no means the only foods you can and should consume after getting your teeth whitened.
- Lean proteins such as skinless chicken, white fish, tofu etc
- Water
- Natural yoghurt
- Bread, rice, and pasta
- Cheese
- Fresh vegetables and some fruits
The foods listed above have been listed because they’re generally good for you and are also fairly neutral in colour and contain very few ingredients which would be likely to stain and discolour your newly whitened teeth.
Foods to avoid after having your teeth whitened
We’ve looked at what to eat after getting teeth whitened, so now it’s time to look at what you should avoid.
Here are some of the worst offending foods and drinks for staining the teeth, and which should therefore be avoided or limited, especially if you’ve recently had your teeth whitened.
- Coffee
- Wine
- Green tea
- Sugary fruits
- Sugary foods including sweets, chocolate, desserts, and candy
- Sugary soft drinks
- Soft drinks with added colourings
- Dark fruits
- Curry
What can you eat 24 hours after having your teeth whitened?
Again, speak to your dentist beforehand, but, generally speaking 24 hours after you have had your teeth whitened, you can consume many of the foods we listed earlier, which were permitted after having your teeth whitened.
Ideally you should consume foods which are naturally light in colour and free from ingredients which can stain the teeth. Chicken breast is fine for example, but chicken breast cooked in a curry containing spices known to stain such as turmeric, is not permitted.
Look for naturally light-coloured foods such as rice, potatoes, chicken, tofu, white fish, and so on. you should also avoid foods naturally high in sugar, for the simple reasons that your teeth will be sensitive, and sugar can damage them.
Bananas are also great as they’re soft, lightly coloured, and don’t contain many natural fructose sugars.
How to protect the teeth after whitening the teeth?
After getting your new set of pearly whites, you will of course want to keep them looking fresh, white, and pristine. To help you do that, here are some simple tips to keep the teeth white and healthy after the procedure.
Practice good oral hygiene
First off, brush the teeth regularly at least twice per day, floss after each meal, and use mouthwash.
This will not only help them to stay white, it will also help protect them too.
Quit smoking
If you smoke, you know that smoking is a dangerous and unhealthy habit and that it can also stain your teeth.
Quitting smoking will not only save you money and improve your health, it will also help keep your teeth looking white too.
Visit your dentist regularly
Finally, the last thing you should do to ensure your teeth remain healthy, vibrant, and white is to visit your dentist regularly, at least twice per year.
Is teeth whitening worth it?
If you’re concerned about the colour of your teeth, or if you just want a bit of a confidence boost, teeth whitening is perfect.
Dentists offer in-chair whitening, as well as take home whitening kits which you can use yourself. Results aren’t permanent, but they do last a very long time, especially if you have the procedure carried out by a professional dentist.
