How Long After Teeth Whitening Can I Eat Normally?

The first 48 hours is when your newly whitened teeth are more sensitive and susceptible to staining. In order to protect the brightness of your smile, you should avoid certain food and drinks during this time frame.

Skip to:

• What Is Teeth Whitening?
  
• Teeth Whitening Process: In Clinic 
  
• Teeth Whitening Process: At Home
  
• The First 48 Hours
• Long-Term Maintenance

What Is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening removes stains caused by ageing, smoking and eating coloured foods such as red wine, black coffee and tomato-based sauces. This treatment has the ability to lighten your teeth by up to six shades, offering a natural-looking smile transformation.
Now, let’s go through the different ways in which you can whiten your teeth.

Teeth Whitening Process: In Clinic

Professional in-office treatments use high-grade bleaching gels activated by special lights and lasers. Monitored by your dentist, this ensures significantly whiter results in a short period of time.

Teeth Whitening Process: At Home

At-home kits also provide great results. Smile White are experts in teeth whitening – pairing our potent FreshGel™ formula with SuperFit™ trays that fit your teeth like a glove, we help you achieve a radiant smile that lasts up to 12 months. There are also many whitening mouthwashes and toothpastes available to buy.

The First 48 Hours

This crucial time period can really impact the longevity of your white teeth, so it is important to follow the aftercare detailed by your dentist.

The first 24 hours after the procedure is usually when your teeth are at their most sensitive. Avoid consuming anything with a very hot or cold temperature to help minimise discomfort, such as ice cream.

The ‘White Diet’ is usually recommend for the first 48 hours. This includes digesting light and white-coloured food and drink only to lessen the risk of staining.

Suitable Food & Drink:

• Chicken
  
• White fish
  
• Turkey
  
• Plain rice
  
• Potatoes (basic white)
  
• Yoghurt
  
• Clear drinks such as water
  
• Non-buttered bread

Food & Drink To Avoid:

• Dark sauces
  
• Pigmented fruits and vegetables such as berries
  
• Coffee
  
• Tea
  
• Red wine
  
• Fizzy drinks
  
• Curry
  
• Condiments such as soy sauce, tomato ketchup and mustard
  

Long-Term Maintenance

If you want your teeth whitening results to last as long as possible, consider cutting down the number of colouring foods and drinks in your diet. For those who like tea and coffee, we suggest using a straw to reduce the amount of liquid that comes into contact with your teeth.

Alongside its negative, long-term effects on your general health, smoking also stains the teeth, so try and avoid this as much as possible. A good oral hygiene routine additionally protects the whiteness of your smile. Remember to brush twice daily, floss and attend regular appointments with a dental hygienist.

Conclusion:

The first 48 hours after teeth whitening is crucial – therefore it is important to avoid consuming anything that can stain your new smile. After this period, you should be able to go back to eating and drinking as normal. Looking to whiten your teeth? Book an e-consultation with a Smile White specialist today.