Teeth whitening is ideally performed by a cosmetic dentist after a thorough cleaning of the tooth surface to remove tartar, plaque, and other debris. If you decide to have teeth whitening performed by your Charlotte, NC dentist, then you should know that it can cost a bit more than most DIY or at-home teeth bleaching. It’s only normal then that you’d want to maximize the longevity of your whitened teeth. One of the steps to do so is to avoid dark-colored beverages and foods to prevent tooth staining.
Coffee and Red Wine
If you’re dependent on that cup of coffee in the morning to get your day started, then you might have to think of other effective ways to perk up–or, at the very least, you should wait 48 hours after the procedure before drinking coffee or other dark beverages again. The same goes with your habit of drinking red wine during a meal. This is because coffee and red wine are among the leading causes of tooth staining.
Sauces
To make sure your teeth stay white longer, you should also avoid eating food that have dark sauces, especially right after the procedure. Marinades, soy sauce, stews, and tomato sauces can stain your newly whitened teeth.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate can be good for your health, but however healthy and tasty it is, you should avoid consuming it during the first week after the procedure, as it can easily stain your whitened teeth.
Acidic Foods
Because the enamel of your teeth are weakened right after a teeth whitening procedure, it’s best to avoid acidic foods. You should do so because these types of food can cause sensitivity and pain. Pickles, soft drinks, lemons, limes, and oranges can increase your saliva’s acidity, which can then harm your teeth.
McNulty & Dancausse General Dentistry 