The White Diet: What to Eat After Teeth Whitening? Foods to Enjoy and Avoid

Teeth whitening has become a revolutionary treatment that has now made the dream of a white smile an easy reality. However, the journey to achieving that radiant, white-bright smile doesn’t end once you leave the dental office.

To truly maximise the results of your teeth whitening treatment, it’s crucial to adopt a mindful post-whitening diet. This is where the White Diet comes into play. It is a carefully curated selection of foods that not only protect your newly whitened teeth but also promote overall oral health.

This blog will explore all about what you can eat after teeth whitening, and the diet that can harm the progress of your treatment.

As a general rule, it is important to avoid foods and drinks that can stain teeth after teeth whitening treatment.

Here is a list of food and dietary recommendations on what you can eat after teeth whitening:

Chicken, Turkey, Tofu, and Fish

Light, lean white meat is good for freshly whitened teeth. Chicken and turkey are acid-free, healthy, and delicious. Tofu is also a good choice when you just had your teeth whitened.

When including fish in your white diet for teeth whitening, avoid dark fish varieties and go for white fish like albacore. It’s also equally important not to use vibrant sauces and seasoning, which can increase the risk of staining. Instead, stick to white sauce.

White Rice, Pasta, and Bread

Rice is white in colour and is a good source of carbs to pair with meat. Pasta also ticks the mark for white food diet post teeth whitening, but again, be mindful of coloured sauces and seasonings. Best to stick to white and light white sauces.

Bread lovers can also enjoy their usual diet after teeth whitening, but make sure to remove the crust, as it can be more abrasive to the exterior just after the treatment.

However, be cautious of the ingredients in both rice and pasta, as some brands add food colouring or molasses to make them look darker.

Dairy Products: White Cheese and Yogurt

Dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt are rich in calcium and beneficial for strengthening teeth enamel. Just make sure to stick with white cheese or lightly coloured cheese – no artificial colourings.

For yoghurt, stick to white or plain ones and avoid coloured options, as they can contribute to tooth stains.

Egg Whites

Egg whites are full of protein and safe to include in a diet after teeth whitening, but the yolk has colour and could stick to your teeth. So, it’s best to avoid the yolk when including eggs in your dishes.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

Fresh fruits and vegetables are not only good for a healthy diet, but also for your teeth. To include them in your diet on what you can eat after teeth whitening, stick to light-colored options like bananas, apples, and pears, and for vegetables, it is best to go for mushrooms, white onions, and potatoes with skin peeled.

Porridge

Porridge is another safe option to include in the white food diet for teeth whitening, but it should be consumed with milk only and no sugar. If you want your porridge sweet, use a sweetener instead.

Diet After Teeth Whitening: Foods and Beverages to Avoid

Now that you know what you can eat after teeth whitening, here are the foods and beverages you should avoid after your treatment:

Dark Fruits and Vegetables

Dark-coloured fruits and vegetables are rich in pigments that can stain teeth. So, when you create a white food diet for teeth whitening, it is best to avoid fruits such as blueberries, grapes, and raspberries and vegetables such as carrots, spinach, and purple cabbage.

Red Meats

Just like dark fruits and vegetables, dark meats can also stain your teeth. They are also very acidic and can increase tooth sensitivity. Generally, your enamel after teeth whitening treatment is already more porous and sensitive due to the agents used in the procedure.

By avoiding acidic foods, you allow your enamel to remineralise and recover, helping to maintain the whitening results and reduce the risk of post-treatment sensitivity, as well as related discomfort.

Chocolate and Candy

We already know that too many sweets can cause tooth decay and cavities. Taking too many chocolates and candies after teeth whitening can cause these issues, alongside discolourations and enamel erosion, because of artificial colours.

Coffee and Tea

Let’s face it—tea and coffee can be a part of your daily routine that you can’t let go of. However, they contain a substance called tannins, which can build up over time and darken the teeth. This is why taking them post-teeth-whitening treatment is not recommended for at least a few weeks.

Wine

Both red and white wine are not recommended as part of a white diet for teeth whitening. Red wine can harm the color and enamel of your teeth due to its acidity and dark color.

White wine, on the other hand, cannot stain your teeth, but its acidity can weaken your enamel, which will then increase your vulnerability to future staining.

Dark-Coloured Sauces and Condiments

What you can eat after teeth whitening usually depends on colour and acidity profiles. While some sauces and condiments, such as ketchup, soy sauce, and mustard, may taste good with food, they must be avoided because they can stain teeth quickly.

Soft Drinks

Soft drinks are acidic, high in sugar, and full of artificial colouring. They can damage tooth enamel and lead to discolouration, so it is best to avoid these drinks in your diet after teeth whitening.

Fruit Juices

Fruit juices are also acidic and can adversely affect tooth enamel. Whereas, fruit juices such as orange juice or grape juice can easily lead to stains.

Other Ways to Protect Your Teeth After Whitening Treatment

While it is important to watch what you can eat after teeth whitening to experience the full benefits of the treatment, certain lifestyle changes can also help with this. Some of them include:

1. Quit Smoking

   Smoking not only affects your teeth and gums but also causes staining. It leads to many oral health problems, and if you want to keep your teeth white for longer or maintain a Hollywood smile, consider quitting this habit.

2. Get Regular Dental Check-Ups and Cleaning

   Regular dental check-ups and cleanings help to keep teeth healthy and avoid dental issues. It also helps your dentists to identify any dental issues early before they are severe or cause discolourations to your enamel.

Your dentist will also likely recommend touch-up treatments to maintain the brightness of your teeth.

Let Your Smile Shine White

The best teeth whitening treatment starts by choosing the right clinic. This is where Bella Medical Centre, one of the leading dental clinics in Abu Dhabi, can help you. With a handpicked dental team, the latest whitening technology, and tested methods, our teeth whitening treatments are designed to deliver outstanding results.

Our specialists are committed to ensuring your comfort and safety, using advanced techniques to brighten your smile while protecting your enamel. Whether you’re looking to remove deep stains or enhance the natural brightness of your teeth, our tailored approach ensures a whiter, more radiant smile that is sure to boost your confidence.