Whitening Your Teeth? Avoid These Three Beverages And Foods

If you have decided that you are going to get your teeth whitened, you need to know something. One of the most important things to know about teeth whitening is that it is a process. It is not a one-and-done treatment. You don't simply get your teeth whitened and expect to not have any kind of "maintenance" to do in order to keep your teeth shiny and sparkly. While it would be great if that was the case, it simply is not. In addition, depending on how bad your teeth are in terms of stains, the whitening process could take a few sessions to get your teeth to the shade of white that you truly desire. One way to help out the whitening process, whether it is done in the office or with a whitening kit at home, is to avoid a few beverages and foods that are known to stain the teeth.

Coffee

Coffee is a beverage that many people enjoy every morning and sometimes even throughout the day and in the evening. Coffee has a significant amount of caffeine in it, which is why a lot of people turn to this beverage to get them started in the morning. Unfortunately, it doesn't take long for it to cause discoloration of your teeth's enamel. This is particularly true if you enjoy your coffee black. Therefore, you will want to try to avoid drinking coffee after having your teeth whitened. If you don't think you can get rid of your cup of Joe, you will want to at least cut back on it, use a straw, add milk to the coffee, or drink water with it.

Red Wine

Some people enjoy winding down at the end of the day with a glass of red wine. While red wine has a variety of health benefits, it can also tint/stain your teeth the way coffee does. The good news is that you don't necessarily have to give up your glass of wine in the evening. Instead, you just need to switch your glass of red wine for a glass of white wine, allowing you to still unwind and de-stress before bed.

Tomatoes (and Tomato-based Foods)

Coffee and red wine are two drinks that you should avoid or at the very least cut back on, but there are some foods that can also stain your teeth. One food, in particular, is the tomato. Tomatoes or tomato-based products can be found in many meals, such as spaghetti, sloppy joes, and salads, making it hard to avoid them altogether. Therefore, your best bet is to minimize the meals that you eat with tomatoes or tomato-based products.

If you are going to go through the process of whitening your teeth, you must make sure you take care of your teeth to ensure they stay white in between your sessions. For more information on teeth whitening and whitening your teeth at home with professional-grade teeth whitening kits, contact a local dentist.


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