So you’ve just had your teeth cleaned, and now you never want stained or discolored teeth again! That’s an understandable position to hold. Everyday life makes keeping your teeth as white as possible difficult if not impossible, but there are some simple tips to follow to protect your whitened teeth from getting stained in the days after teeth whitening in South Tampa.
Good food options after teeth whitening in South Tampa
You’ll notice something in common about all these good food options for the first few days after teeth whitening near you — they’re all pale. The absence of strong colors in these foods is intentional since the presence of strong colors will stain your teeth.
- Chicken and turkey with skin and fatty portions removed
- Whitefish, but hold any sauces or toppings with richly colors or spices
- Bread, rice, and pasta in moderation, since eating a lot of carbohydrates can contribute to the development of cavities
- Egg whites, but not the yolks
- Milk, but especially Skim or low-fat milk
- Cauliflower
- Peeled potatoes
- White cheese
Here’s another way to choose foods that are good options to eat after teeth whitening — if it wouldn’t stain your nice white shirt, go ahead and eat it.
Foods to avoid eating after teeth whitening
Conversely, if you were to spill food onto your nice white shirt and it would stain that shirt, don’t eat it in the first couple of days after having your teeth whitened. Here’s a list of some foods to avoid shortly after having your teeth whitened.
- Tomato juice, colas, tea, coffee, red wine, and other intensely colored beverages.
- Alcohol, fruit juice, sodas and other powerfully acidic drinks.
- Sweet indulgences such as ice cream, cookies, and cakes can stain and irritate your teeth as well as trigger tooth decay.
- Strongly colored foods — either naturally or as processed — such as beef, blueberries, pomegranates, soy sauce, ketchup, and
chocolate.
Three tips for the days after teeth whitening
Yes, you can and should brush your teeth after having them whitened. Some people report that their teeth are more sensitive than usual after whitening, so it’s even more important to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and to brush gently. If you’re concerned about sensitivity, use a minimally abrasive toothbrush intended specifically for sensitive teeth.
Drink as much tap water as possible. Drinking water will stimulate the production of saliva which has a natural antibacterial effect and which will also protect your teeth from cavities that are fluoridated.
Don’t smoke. If you’re not a smoker, don’t start. The tar and nicotine involved in smoking will stain your teeth at any time — not to mention stain your fingers and taint your breath — but your teeth will be particularly vulnerable in the first few days after whitening. If you are a smoker, talk to your dentist in South Tampa. Your dentist may be able to provide referrals and information to support quitting if that’s a goal of yours. By the way, vaping is not a healthy alternative to smoking when it comes to maintaining your whitened teeth. Vaping, too, can put to waste the time, money, and effort you put into your newly whitened teeth.
How to keep your teeth as white as possible every day
The goal here has been to explain how to protect your newly whitened teeth from getting stained in the days after teeth whitening in South Tampa. But what about the rest of the year? To keep your teeth as white as possible, follow these four tips:
- Brush your teeth gently for two minutes, two or three times every day
- Floss between each and every tooth daily to remove the plaque your toothbrush leaves behind
- Eat well, especially foods containing lean protein and all essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium
- Attend your dentist’s office for regular checkups every six months, and to have your teeth cleaned once a year
By following these tips, you’ll be able to preserve your newly whitened teeth from immediately getting stained again. With careful attention to these suggestions and tips, your teeth whitening in South Tampa can last a full twelve months. When you’re ready for your first or next teeth cleaning, contact a dentist near you.