Foods and Drinks to Avoid After Getting Teeth Whitening Treatment
Introduction
Teeth whitening treatment is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures and can improve the look of your smile instantly. If you are looking to get teeth whitening treatments today, visit this reputable dentist in Batavia for the best services.
While there are a few ways that you can remove stains from your teeth at home, many of them are only mildly effective and do not remove deeper stains caused by prolonged exposure to pigmented foods and drinks. Professional tooth whitening treatments at a dental clinic help to remove stains from hard to reach places. They also last longer than at-home and over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments because the whitening gel formula is much stronger.
A whiter, brighter smile can boost your confidence. A tooth whitening treatment not only gives you a more radiant smile, but it can also kill harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. To prolong the lifetime of your treatment, there are a few foods and beverages that you should avoid.
Coffee
While it might perk you up in the morning, coffee is one of the biggest causes of tooth discolouration. In addition to caffeine, coffee also contains tannins, polyphenol compounds that break down in the water and causes the dark colour from the coffee beans to stick to your teeth leaving that a yellow hue, and unfortunately it only takes a single cup of coffee for staining to occur.
Most dentists recommend avoiding coffee for 48 hours after a professional cleaning and teeth whitening treatment. Swap your morning cup of coffee for green tea, which still contains the kick of caffeine without leaving yellow stains on your teeth.
Red Wine
Another beverage that contains high levels of tannins is red wine. Red wine also contains anthocyanins which give the grapes their red colour while the tannins help that colour bind to your teeth. Red wine is also highly acidic which erodes the protective enamel layer on your teeth, causing it to become porous and able to absorb the staining pigments.
To keep your smile brighter changes your red wine for white. If you are eating out and want to avoid red stains on your teeth, simply wipe the film of wine off your teeth with a damp napkin until you can get home and give them a proper brush.
Soda
Most sodas contain very high levels of sugar, which interact with the bacteria in your mouth to create acid. Even diet sodas contain acidic ingredients and can be harmful to your teeth. The acids make your teeth more porous, allowing them to readily absorb the artificial dyes that are often found in sodas. The darker the soda, the worse it will stain your teeth.
It is best to avoid soda altogether as it is more harmful to your oral health than simply tooth discolouration. But if you must drink soda or other sugary drinks, it is best to consume them with meals to neutralise the acid effect and drink them with a straw, so the soda has less contact with your teeth.
Tomato Sauce
It may be delicious on your pasta, but tomato sauce contains high levels of acid that weaken tooth enamel and deep pigments that can easily stain your teeth. This doesn’t mean you have to stop eating tomato sauce. Dentists recommend that you reduce the risk of stains by eating leafy green vegetables such as kale, broccoli or spinach before your pasta which create a protective film over the teeth repelling the staining pigments and neutralising the acid.
Blueberries
Despite the many health benefits of blueberries and other berries, the chemical compound found in the skin of blueberries is the same as that found in red wine, anthocyanin, which gives the blueberry its blue-purple hue. Berries are also one of the more acidic types of fruit which creates porous enamel allowing the anthocyanins to be better absorbed by your teeth.
While you shouldn’t eliminate blueberries from your diet, limit your consumption to once or twice a week or drink them as part of a smoothie; the dairy will neutralise the acid, and if you use a straw, you can limit the contact between the pigment and your teeth.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is also excellent for your health in moderate amounts like red wine and coffee, and it contains tannins which help the dark pigments in the cocoa beans stick to your teeth. It also forms a sticky film when consumed, which covers more surface area on your teeth, spreading the stains further. And while dark chocolate may contain more cocoa solids than milk chocolate, it also contains similar levels of sugar which can cause an acidic reaction in your mouth and erode tooth enamel.
Avoid dark chocolate for a few days after your teeth whitening treatment and limit your consumption of chocolate to once or twice per week to minimise the staining effects while still gaining the health benefits.
Acidic Foods
Other acidic foods like oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, pickles, vinegar, and alcohol erode tooth enamel and not only cause stains on your teeth but are also one of the biggest causes of tooth decay and gum disease.
While many of these foods are a necessary part of a healthy and balanced diet, if you are trying to keep your teeth white between visits to the dentist for cleaning and whitening treatments, it is best to limit these foods or eat them alongside neutralising foods such as dairy or leafy green vegetables.
Conclusion
Keep your teeth pearly white after treatment by avoiding foods high in acid and deep pigmentation. Staying hydrated is another way to wash away stains and neutralise acidic foods and drinks. Above all, brushing and flossing twice per day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft bristle brush helps to scrub away stains and remineralise your teeth for a stronger, healthier smile.
If you notice any tooth discolouration and interested in a teeth whitening treatment, contact your local cosmetic dentist to make an appointment. In less an hour in the dental chair, you could have a dramatically brighter smile that you are proud to share with the world!
Author Bio
Oxford House Dental Practice is a Milton Keynes Dental Clinic which established in 1954. It has special dental team and It offers best dental cares like cosmetic dental treatments and dental implants including Invisalign, dental sedation, missing teeth and all on 4 implants in Milton Keynes to patients.