How Long After Teeth Whitening Can I Eat Normally?

Starting the teeth-whitening process is an investment in a smile that is brighter and more self-assured. However, maintaining those freshly obtained sparkling whites is most important in the immediate post-procedure time. This maintenance includes waiting to eat anything after a teeth whitening procedure. 

What Happens in a Teeth Whitening Procedure?

The first step in a teeth whitening procedure is a thorough oral checkup. Next, your teeth are isolated using barriers that protect your gums and soft tissues. After that, the surfaces of your teeth are treated with a whitening gel that contains hydrogen or carbamide peroxide. 

Your dentist may use a specialized light or laser, which speeds up the whitening process over one or more application cycles. After the shade you want is reached, your dentist will clean your mouth and remove the gel and protective barriers. Some dentists may then end the process with a fluoride treatment to reduce any sensitivity.

How Long Should You Wait to Eat After a Teeth Whitening Procedure?

It’s usually best to wait at least an hour before eating anything after teeth whitening. This enables the initial irritation to significantly lessen and your teeth to start rehydrating. However, it is advised to stick to a "white diet" for the first 24 to 48 hours in order to eat "normally" without running a serious danger of discoloring your freshly whitened teeth. Your tooth enamel is more porous and vulnerable to absorbing food and drink pigments at this time.

Foods to Avoid After Teeth Whitening

If you wish to preserve the brightness of your freshly whitened smile, avoid specific foods and beverages that might stain or interfere with the stability of the whitening result. It includes the following:

1. Caffeinated and carbonated drinks like tea, coffee, colas, wine, sodas, and other fizzy drinks.
2. Snacks like chips, chocolate, crackers, pretzels, cookies, popcorn, and other crunchy foods
3. Sticky or staining sweets, candies, taffy, caramels, and chewing gum.
4. Smoking and chewing tobacco are two major causes of discoloration.
5. Dark sauces like soy sauce, tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, and other marinades.
6. Pigmented vegetables such as beets, carrots, corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, red peppers, and winter squash.
7. Acidic fruits like oranges, berries, pineapple, pickles, grapefruit, lime, lemon, and strawberries.

What to Eat After a Teeth Whitening Procedure?

For the first 24 hours, limit your diet to soft, colorless items like boiled eggs, mashed potatoes, and yogurt. Then, progressively add more complex meals to your diet. Here’s what you can eat:

• Chicken, turkey (without skin), white fish, tofu
• Milk, white cheese, plain or vanilla yogurt
• Apples (peeled), bananas, pears
• White rice, pasta (with white sauce only), white bread (without crust)
• Cauliflower, potatoes (peeled), white onions
• Water.

Summing Up!

It's important to follow the post-whitening diet that dentists recommend to prevent discoloration and guarantee the best possible outcomes. You may start eating normally 48 hours after a teeth whitening procedure, but avoid foods that may cause discoloration. 

If you want to benefit from a safe and effective teeth whitening treatment, consult our experts at Riverside Family Dental. Give us a call at (586) 468-0983 to schedule an appointment.