Whitening the teeth is not as simple as wiping a speck of dust. You must follow certain things to achieve your goal, like avoiding acidic edibles during and after treatment. Wondering why? Here, we provide some reasons so that you can understand it more!
Even if soda is your favorite drink or apples are your favorite fruit, you must avoid it when you undergo teeth whitening treatment. There is no exemption unless you do not want your teeth whitened effectively.
What Are Acidic Drinks and Food?
If you have just tried a teeth whitening and dust prevention procedure at home or from a doctor, you must be cautious about acidic foods and drinks. These food items have a pH level of 7 and above. High acidity in food and beverages can erode tooth enamel, leading to sensitivity and cavities. Here are the foods and drinks you must avoid after whitening your teeth.
What Foods Are Acidic For Teeth
- Lemon and Citrus
- Pineapples
- Oranges
- Grapes
- Red pistachios
- Any type of Chocolate
- Cigarette and tobacco products
- Caramels and other sugary treats
- Soy sauce and food made with soy sauce as the main ingredient
- Tomatoes or tomato sauce including marinara, pizza sauce
- Dark Colored berries, like blueberries, etc
- Spices like turmeric, paprika, curry, cinnamon, and other vivid-colored varieties
Acidic Drinks To Avoid For Teeth Health
- Beer, especially dark beer
- Sodas
- Sports drinks
- Alcohol
- Red vinegar or vinaigrette
- Tea and Coffe (anything that contains caffeine)
- Red and white wine
Avoiding all these acidic foods and drinks to get the desired results in less time is essential. So whether you are craving acidic foods like tea or grapes, hold that desire for a short time to get your whiter teeth for a long time.
4 MAJOR REASONS TO AVOID ACIDIC FOODS AND BEVERAGES
IT STAINS YOUR TEETH
Although intrinsic stains are considered superficial, they are still not good, especially when whitening teeth. There is still a chance that those stains may harshly linger on your teeth.
IT CAUSES SEVERE SENSITIVITY
Everyone may experience tooth sensitivity during a teeth whitening treatment. So, if you also keep consuming food and drinks that are acidic, it may trigger sensitivity or worsen.
LOWERS WHITENING EFFICACY
Acids are one of your teeth's greatest enemies. Aside from the cause of the building up of cavities, it also lowers the effect of teeth whiteners. The Mysmile Teeth Whitening Strips whiten teeth like a professional-level treatment. It removes years of stains and offers fast results. Yet, you can never whiten your teeth properly with this if there are constant acids in your mouth.
IT MAY RESULT IN OTHER HEALTH ISSUES
Consuming too much acid not only results in tooth decay or erosion. It can also cause gastroesophageal reflux disease, UTI, kidney stones forming, and such. Generally, too much consumption does not contain any benefits to your health at all.
Foods and Drinks You Can Eat After Teeth Whitening
You must be wondering what are the food good for your teeth. Here are the foods that are great to eat after whitening your teeth. As the name suggests, these are manly white-colored foods with low acidity and are free of the chemicals and pigments that can cause stains or yellowness to your teeth.
Here is a list of teeth-whitening after-care foods that maintain the shine and secure the enamel of your teeth.
Light, lean proteins are generally healthy and great after teeth whitening. Just be vigilant of any bright-colored seasonings or sauces to go with your protein; stick to white sauces instead.
Most grains are safe to eat on the White Diet. However, look for bread and pasta that list molasses or food coloring in the ingredients. These ingredients are often added to give pasta and bread a distinctively artificially darker appearance, which can transfer to your teeth.
You must always avoid artificially colored cheeses and sweetened, flavored yogurts. White cheeses and plain yogurts are perfect choices after teeth whitening procedures.
Light-colored vegetables and fruits are an essential part of the White Diet. Fruits (like apples, pears, and bananas) and vegetables (like potatoes, mushrooms, and cauliflower) are healthy and good for your teeth, too!
Water is perfect for hydration, oral health, and smile brightness. It does not stain teeth or wear down enamel, so it should be your top choice while on the precise Diet for Oral Health. Water will definitely maintain your oral hygiene and keep the whitening for a substantial time.
How Does the White Diet Work Exactly?
After a professional or at-home teeth whitening procedure, your teeth become slightly porous. This means your dentin is temporarily exposed and sensitive to certain foods and drinks. At this point, if you eat foods that are acidic or contain strong pigments, like tea, wine, or berries, they can absorb easily into your teeth and cause discoloration.
To avoid this situation, you have to go on a white diet for a while. This means that for just 48 hours after the teeth whitening procedure, you must eat food with no acidic or potent pigments. This small practice will give you pristine, shiny teeth for a long time.
Other Ways to Protect Your Teeth Health
Quit smoking: Nicotine, whether in a cigarette, chewing tobacco, or an e-cigarette, can cause stains and yellowing of the enamel. These stains can be challenging to remove. Quitting tobacco or nicotine products can do wonders not only for your teeth but also for your overall oral health.
Regular checkups and cleanings: Teeth whitening should not be the only reason you visit the dentist—regular checkups and cleanings go hand in hand with whitening procedures to keep your smile healthy.
TAKEAWAYS
Always remember that the impact of Teeth whitening kits is temporary. Nevertheless, please do not do anything that could hinder their effectiveness, as it will only waste your time, effort, and money. Moreover, consult a professional if you experience any trouble during your treatment. Do you have any more takeaways? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
