Professional teeth whitening can work miracles on stained and discolored teeth, leaving you feeling more confident and comfortable in your own skin. But if you want to enjoy that confidence boost for longer, then you will want to protect your bright new smile by avoiding stain-causing foods and drinks.

Here are six foods and beverages that you’ll want to steer clear of after your dental tooth whitening to preserve your results.

1. Red Wine

Red wine is perhaps one of the most notorious of all stain-causing beverages, as it can lead to a purple smile in just one indulgent evening. While much of this staining is temporary and will be removed upon brushing your teeth, over time, more of that dark color can begin to stick — especially after teeth whitening.

During the first few days after teeth whitening, your enamel may be slightly weakened, leaving you more susceptible to stains caused by dark beverages like red wine.

2. Coffee

Coffee, like red wine, contains compounds known as “tannins” that are known for adhering to the teeth and causing unpleasant discoloration. As much as you might like your morning cup, you should avoid coffee altogether for at least a few days after your dental whitening and reduce your intake in general after this period.

3. Tomato Sauce

Tomato sauce may not be the sort of food that pops into your mind when you think about tooth staining, but if you consider what just one drop can do to a white T-shirt, then you can imagine how it might affect your pearly whites.

In addition to being dark-colored and quick to stain, this food is also acidic, which can wear away your already sensitive tooth enamel after whitening.

4. Dark-Colored Fruit

It may be a healthy and delicious snack, but you should steer clear of dark-colored fruits like blueberries, cherries, and pomegranates for a few days after you’ve had your teeth whitened. The pigments in these fruits are not only darkly colored but also fairly potent, giving them the ability to cause considerable discoloration if you’re not careful.

5. Citrus Fruit

While lighter citrus foods may not directly cause staining, you will still want to avoid them in the days after your teeth whitening procedure. This is because citrus fruit is highly acidic, which can lead your teeth to become more sensitive and susceptible to staining while the enamel layer is weakened immediately following teeth whitening.

6. Food or Drink With Dye

Generally, food dye isn’t necessarily a crucial contributor to teeth staining under normal circumstances. However, following a teeth whitening procedure, you will want to avoid any foods or drinks with dye.

Because your newly whiter teeth are more prone to staining for the first few days after the treatment, these dyes can do more damage than usual.

Restore Your Smile With Pinnacle Dentistry

Are you ready to brighten your smile and boost your self-confidence? The skilled team at Pinnacle Dentistry can restore your smile and protect the oral health of both you and your family in Colorado Springs. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.