Whilst dental whitening is a burgeoning market that is becoming more affordable and accessible, whitening your teeth is not the be all and end all. Whether you want to maintain your new white smile after undergoing whitening treatment or just want to avoid staining your enamel, there are certain foods that you can avoid so as to prevent staining your teeth.
Whilst there might be some common things that come to mind to avoid, like smoking (a big no, no!), there are foods and drinks that could also be avoided:
- Dark liquids – coffee, tea, red wine, certain juices, cola (like Pepsi and Coke)
- We often advise you not to drink these beverages after undergoing teeth whitening as during this time your teeth are more soft and able to absorb. Although, drinking carefully through a straw can minimise the contact with your teeth.
- Staining foods – sauces (like curries and marinades), gravies, dark chocolate, spices (think turmeric and saffron), beetroot
- These are some of the common sense foods – so if it can stain your clothes it can likely leave its mark on your teeth as well.
- Acidic foods and drinks – fizzy drinks, pineapple, citrus, vinegar (including pickled foods)
- These can erode your enamel and thus expose the dentin that has a more yellow colour to it.
- Very hot or cold drinks
- The sharp temperature change can make your teeth expand or contract and as a result they can become more susceptible to stains.
Ultimately, adjusting your eating habits can be one solution to avoiding discolouration and staining.
