After teeth whitening treatment, patients want to prolong the results for as long as possible. However, if you eat or drink certain foods, your teeth may stain—undoing all the work you just put in. Here's how you can care for your teeth and keep them bright after a whitening treatment. 

3 Whitening Aftercare Tips

1. Avoid Dark-Colored and Acidic Food 

Avoiding colored foods the first two days after your treatment will keep your smile bright. To prevent blemishes, avoid beverages like coffee, fruit juice, red wine, and dark beers. Also, stay away from any foods with deep coloring like beets, berries, chocolate, and dark sauces. Lastly, it's important to avoid acidic foods like carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, tomatoes, plums, grapes, pineapples and peaches. During a teeth whitening procedure, the tubicules—or pores—of the outer tooth are opened. Acidity further weakens the enamel, making teeth more susceptible to staining and decay. 

2. Eat Light-Colored Food and Drinks

To protect your teeth while they are most susceptible, stick to a diet of light-colored or clear foods. For breakfast, try eating eggs, oatmeal, or rice pudding. For lunch and dinner, you can enjoy chicken breast with potatoes or whitefish and cauliflower. Water, coconut water, and milk are all perfect beverages to drink during your first few days after teeth whitening treatment.

3. Keep Food at Room Temperature

Teeth tend to be a little sensitive after a whitening treatment. Ingredients in the whitening solution can penetrate the teeth, reaching small or exposed nerves and causing sudden bursts of pain. Meals that are especially hot or cold may trigger discomfort. For the first few days, try eating meals that are closer to room temperature.  

If you're ready to get your teeth professionally whitened, turn to Elizabeth A. Loseke, DDS, PC in Kearney, NE. With more than 20 years' experience, this friendly dentist provides quality dental care for the whole family. A member of the American Dental Association, the Nebraska Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Loseke uses the latest advancements in dental technology to help her patients achieve beautiful smiles. To learn more about the practice, visit the website or call (308) 234-4564.