Professional teeth whitening kits from your dentist are not only safer and more comfortable than store-bought whitening products. They also deliver far superior results. After completing your treatment, you’ll undoubtedly want to show your smile off as soon as possible, but it’s also important to take the proper precautions to preserve your results. Here’s a brief guide to foods that can help your smile stay shiny and bright after you have your teeth whitened with a take-home kit from your dentist’s office.
What Can I Enjoy Immediately After Teeth Whitening?
Your teeth will be vulnerable to developing new stains for a day or two after being whitened. To prevent this, stick to clear or white items during this period. A few suggestions include:
- Beverages like water, coconut water, milk, or sparkling water.
- Foods like white fish, chicken, pasta with white sauces, potatoes, rice, bananas, yogurt, and egg whites.
Dairy Products Help Teeth Stay White
You may remember your parents telling you to drink lots of milk for healthy bones and teeth, and there is a lot of wisdom in this advice. Dairy products like yogurt, milk, and cheese contain vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus, which are nutrients crucial to maintaining the health of the teeth and skeletal system. Eating these foods also helps your teeth remineralize after teeth whitening while preventing them from developing new stains.
These products also contain lactic acid, which may help defend teeth from decay. Chewing hard cheeses can also help remove lingering food particles from the teeth, and some researchers believe that proteins in yogurt may help insulate teeth from acid damage. All these effects can help keep your teeth shiny and beautiful after whitening.
Snappy Fruits and Veggies Can Help Clean Your Enamel
Crisp and snappy fruits and veggies are full of fiber that is excellent for your oral and digestive health. When you bite into items such as raw apples, celery, and carrots, the fiber they contain can act as a sort of natural toothbrush, helping to wipe away plaque and food debris that can leave dental stains on freshly whitened teeth. Chewing these items also stimulates saliva flow, which dilutes harmful chemicals in the mouth, and they may even kill bacteria that cause bad breath.
A gorgeously white grin can be an invaluable asset in the social scene and the professional world. By watching what you eat, you can help your teeth stay shiny and bright after teeth whitening.
About the Author
Dr. Louis Olberding earned his dental degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry in 1999 and has been working at his current dental office since 2003. He is proud to serve as a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the Nebraska Dental Association. His office in Lincoln offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening. To learn more about keeping your teeth bright after whitening, contact his office online or dial (402) 488-2325.