If you want to enhance your smile, then teeth whitening in Wauwatosa is a simple and effective procedure. It’s painless, it can be done in just one sitting, and the effects are almost immediate. 

But, just because teeth whitening is so simple, it’s still a dental treatment and you need to pay a bit more attention to your teeth and habits afterward. And here’s why. 

The whitening agent in the treatment makes your teeth more porous. That means that the enamel “opens up” so that the cleaning agent can get inside and remove most stains. But, that also means that other substances can get in there too and affect the efficiency of the whitening treatment. Staining foods and beverages, for example, can penetrate the enamel and stain your teeth. 

With that in mind, here’s what you should avoid in the first couple of days after a teeth whitening treatment. 

Avoid Staining Beverages 

As we said, your teeth are susceptible to staining in the first two to three days after the whitening treatment. To avoid getting the opposite results, try to stay away from dark-colored beverages that can stain your teeth, such as: 

• Coffee 
• Black and green tea
• Wine (red and white) 
• Colas
• Fruit juices
• Smoothies 

Avoid Dark Colored Foods

You will also want to avoid intense pigmented foods or foods that have a lot of artificial coloring in them. As a general rule, you should stay away from: 

• Strawberries 
• Raspberries 
• Blueberries 
• Blackberries 
• Tomatoes 
• Beet
• Plums 
• Mango
• Tomatoes 
• Red meat
• Dark chocolate 
• Pigmented spices, such as turmeric, paprika, or curry 

Avoid Acidic and Sugary Foods 

While acidic or sugary foods will not necessarily stain your teeth, they might weaken the enamel, making your teeth more prone to decay. As we explained, the enamel becomes more porous after a whitening treatment and it’s easier for different substances to penetrate it. So, try to stay away from these foods for a few days: 

• Toffee
• Ice cream 
• Candies 
• Tomato sauce 
• Balsamic vinegar 
• Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, or pomelo 
• Soda 
• Soft drinks 

Avoid Smoking 

Smoking is one of the main reasons for teeth staining. So, naturally, you would want to stay away from it for a few days. The same goes for chewing tobacco or even vaping. 

What Is Allowed After Teeth Whitening? 

This list may seem a bit restrictive and you may feel like you are not allowed to do anything anymore after teeth whitening. To make things a bit easier, try the “white t-shirt test” – if a food or beverage is likely to stain a white t-shirt, then it will probably stain your teeth too. 

Opt for nutritious foods, like yogurt, cheese, milk, salads, fish, chicken, and so on. 

And, remember, these restrictions are only for a few days, but your white smile will last for several months or even years. 

Want to Brighten Your Smile? 

Are you considering professional teeth whitening? The Wauwatosa dentists at McCue Dental Health can help. 

Contact us now to book an appointment with one of our dentists.