When the sparkle in your smile starts to fade, professional teeth whitening can restore that bright, confident grin. However, to maintain those gleaming results, it's crucial to follow the White Diet, a carefully curated plan that protects your newly whitened teeth from staining and discoloration.

Understanding the White Diet

After teeth whitening, your teeth's dentin layer, the inner layer beneath the enamel, becomes more porous. This means it's more susceptible to absorbing pigments from dark-colored foods and drinks, leading to staining. The White Diet eliminates these potential staining culprits, ensuring your teeth remain their whitest.

What to Eat on the White Diet

As the name suggests, the White Diet focuses on consuming foods that are white in color. These include:

• Bread
• Pasta
• Rice
• Fish
• Chicken
• White cheese
• Yogurt
• Water

By sticking to these white options, you minimize the risk of staining your teeth and allow the dentin layer to heal and harden properly.

How Long Do You Need to Be On the White Diet?

Most dental professionals suggest staying on the White Diet for at least 48 hours. This will give the dentin layer on your teeth more time to heal and harden.

What Foods Should You Avoid After Teeth Whitening?

In short, you want to avoid foods that have natural pigments or artificial dyes after teeth whitening. Some common examples of these beverages include wine, tea, coffee, and soda. Many people don't know that even white wine can be harmful to your teeth and break down their enamel. Some common foods that you want to avoid eating include dark fruits, chocolate, and candy. You don't have to avoid these foods and drinks forever. You only need to follow this for at least 48 hours after your teeth whitening procedure. This is to ensure long-lasting results.

Besides avoiding certain foods and drinks, there are other ways to keep your teeth whiter. First, you don't want to smoke. Nicotine is well-known to cause yellowing. That goes for chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes as well. Plus, you'll want to see your dentist for bi-annual cleanings and checkups.

Call Us Today

If you're interested in getting your teeth whitened or looking for a new dentist, then it's time to give us a call at Smiles by Hay. Let our helpful dental specialists assist you with all your oral health needs.