Professional Teeth Whitening Aftercare: Here’s How to Maintain Your Luminous New Smile

When you have a professional teeth whitening treatment at Burbank Dental Studio, you can expect to get a beautifully brighter smile and superior whitening results in far less time than you would with store-bought whitening kits.

With proper whitening aftercare in the first week following your treatment (and continued good oral hygiene habits indefinitely), you can also expect your luminous smile to last for at least 12 months — or up to three years.  

Here, experienced cosmetic dentist Dr. Annie Aboulian explains why it’s so important to watch what you eat and drink in the days following your teeth whitening session, and she offers a detailed list of specific foods and beverages to avoid.  

After your whitening treatment 

The clinical-grade bleaching agents used in professional whitening treatments actively lift stubborn stains from the microstructure of your enamel to give you whiter teeth and a more vibrant smile. 

Once the stain molecules have been lifted away, however, your enamel temporarily softens and becomes more porous, meaning it has less “micro-hardness.” This is why dental sensitivity is common for a few days following an in-office teeth whitening treatment.  

Being careful about your food and drink choices for about a week after your teeth whitening treatment can help you protect your new smile and set the stage for well-maintained whitening results. 

The ‘white diet’ dos and don’ts 

For at least 48 hours — and possibly up to a week — after your whitening session, we recommend following the “white diet.” This short-term eating approach helps you avoid acidic and pigmented foods and beverages that can readily stain your enamel while its microstructures are more exposed and vulnerable. 

Foods and drinks to avoid

The foods and drinks you should avoid for a few days after your teeth whitening treatment contain high concentrations of dark, natural pigments or artificial colors (commonly known as stain molecules in the dental world) which can easily make their way into the micro-channels and indentations in your tooth enamel. 

Unsurprisingly, they’re the same foods and drinks that cause discolored teeth in the first place, when their stain molecules build up in your enamel microstructure over time:

• Coffee and tea (coffee is acidic, and both contain enamel-staining tannins)
• Red and white wine (red wine has stain molecules; all wine is acidic)
• Carbonated beverages (if it fizzes, it’s acidic and hard on your enamel)
• Dark-colored colas (in addition to being acidic, dark soda is staining)
• Colorful sports drinks (the bright artificial dyes can be highly staining) 
• Chocolate and colorful candy (both are staining when your enamel is porous)
• Berries and dark juices (although nutritious, both are highly staining)

You don’t have to eliminate these foods and beverages forever — your enamel is most sensitive to their effects for the first 48 hours after a whitening procedure. 

A good rule of thumb is to avoid them for at least two days, but to continue avoiding them for as long as your teeth feel sensitive from the treatment — usually no more than a week. 

Enamel-safe foods and drinks 

While avoiding dark, artificially colored, and acidic foods and beverages is really all it takes to safeguard your new smile following your whitening session, we thought it might be helpful to list a few foods and drinks that are ideal when your enamel is sensitive:

• Fish, poultry, and plain tofu (light-colored, lean protein sources)
• Rice, bread, and pasta (whole grains are best; avoid products with molasses) 
• White cheeses and yogurt (but skip yogurts that are high in added sugars)
• Fresh fruits and vegetables (most produce is good for your teeth; avoid citrus fruits)
• Water (nature’s non-staining drink supports saliva and optimal oral health)

You can also preserve your whitening results by simply following your normal diet, while taking care to avoid harsh and staining foods and drinks for the prescribed period of time.

Maintain long-term whitening results 

The best way to maintain long-term whitening results is through good oral hygiene: Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste, floss once a day, see us for twice-yearly dental cleanings and exams, and don’t smoke.  

Want to know more about extending the results of your whitening treatment? Call Burbank Dental Studio in Burbank, California, today, or click online to request an appointment at your convenience.