You’ve just had your teeth whitened to pearlescent perfection, so, naturally, you want your dental cosmetic results to last as long as possible! Besides continuing to brush twice daily and floss once per day, limiting your consumption of certain foods and drinks is a good way to help your smile stay sparkly.
For one reason or another, the treats listed below can all contribute to dental staining. Keep reading so you know what to watch out for.
Acidic Foods and Drinks
This means foods and drinks that have a specific “kick” to them, like soda, lemons, limes, pickles, and tomatoes. The problem isn’t necessarily the sharp taste, but the pH levels. Not only can acidic treats cause sensitivity in newly whitened teeth, but they can also weaken your enamel and make it easier for stains to stick. It’s best to avoid these snacks for a week or two after your treatment!
Coffee, Tea, and Red Wine
Dark-colored beverages with strong coloration can lead to direct dental staining. If you enjoy these drinks on the regular, they might even be why you got your teeth whitened in the first place. One or two occasional tastings might not have a significant tarnishing effect, but drinking coffee, tea, or red wine every day is a surefire way to yellow your pearly whites.
Richly Pigmented Sauces
Similarly, tomato-based or heavily spiced sauces are likely to cause premature smile tarnishing. A good rule of thumb is that if it’ll be tough to get out of your carpet, it’s strong enough to slip into your enamel’s pours and stain your teeth.
Natural and Artificial Dyes
If you’ve ever tried to color a cake or make your own icing, you know exactly how messy a little bit of food dye can be! The dyes used in popsicles, candy, and sports drinks aren’t much better. Before you buy, make sure to turn the product around and read the label carefully. A surprising number of foods and drinks are dyed to make them more aesthetically pleasing, like fruit juice and almost any red velvet dessert.
Certain Fruits and Veggies
That’s right, even fruits and vegetables can pose a risk to your pearly smile – at least when it comes to staining them right after a teeth whitening treatment. Be wary of berries, carrots, beets, spinach, and other foods with staining juices. You don’t have to avoid these nutrient-rich foods completely, but try to limit how frequently you enjoy them, and look into less pigmented alternatives.
Getting a Touch-Up Treatment
Keeping these foods and beverages at arms-length after your teeth whitening can be tough; fortunately, your dentist is more than willing to help you preserve your bright smile! Ask them about touch-up treatments. Having your teeth lightly whitened every once in a while can go a long way towards preventing more stubborn staining.
About the Practice
At Dental Group West, we have several dentists on-staff who are highly skilled with cosmetic dentistry treatments like teeth whitening. If you’re looking for ways to preserve your whitening results for as long as possible, they’d be happy to give you professional advice or discuss touch-up treatments! To contact our office, call 419-539-2168.