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Do want a new spring in your step and a new gleam in your grin? A professional teeth whitening treatment might be right for you! Of course, you don’t want to get all excited about getting a brighter smile only to find out that you’re not a good candidate for whitening. You also don’t want to spend the money on a treatment only to find that the results quickly disappear. To make your whitening journey as easy and effective as possible, follow this guide from your cosmetic dentist in Oak Hill that outlines what you should and should not eat before and after your treatment.

BEFORE YOUR TREATMENT

An ethnical dentist will not let you get your teeth whitened if your oral health isn’t up to par. If bleaching gel gets applied to chompers that have cavities, very thin enamel, or other issues, you could end up in pain and with some serious dental problems. Therefore, the key to a successful and pain-free whitening process is to keep your oral health in good shape.

Your teeth will be stronger if you avoid consuming anything with lots of sugar in it or that has a high acidic content. That means you should say no to items such as:

• Soda and other carbonated drinks
• Candy
• Black coffee
• Sticky things
• Starchy foods that are likely to get stuck between your teeth
• Fruit juice
• Citrus fruits

Instead, munch on foods that:

• Are rich in calcium, like milk, spinach, and cheese
• Require a lot of chewing, such as raw veggies (chewing encourages saliva production, which protects your teeth)
• Have a rough texture that can clean your mouth (apples are a good example)
• Contain lots of nutrients that will benefit your whole body

AFTER YOUR TREATMENT

After your whitening treatment, you should be diligent to avoid (or at least cut back on) items that could re-stain your smile. Saying no to staining foods and drinks is especially important during the first 24 hours after treatment, when you should not consume any of the following:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Red wine
• Dark berries or other fruits
• Anything that would leave a stain on a white t-shirt

Instead, consume colorless or white foods and drinks. You can enjoy milk, fish and chips, potatoes, and other items with no staining potential. Following your dentist’s guidelines for what to consume right after a whitening treatment will also mitigate the sensitivity that often follows bleaching procedures.

After the first 24 hours, you can return to a more normal, tooth-friendly diet. Just be sure to limit staining foods and, if you can’t resist dark-colored drinks, consume them through a straw so you minimize their contact with your teeth.

A whiter smile is within your reach! Use the above guidelines to make sure your teeth are healthy enough for a cosmetic treatment and to ensure that your results last as long as possible.

About the Dentist

Dr. Jack Fan is your passionate, knowledgeable “dentist near me” who wants to help you love your smile. If you have questions about teeth whitening treatments, please contact our office at 512-361-4288.