What Can You Eat and Drink After Teeth Whitening?
You have just had your teeth whitened and your smile looks brighter than it has in years. Now comes the question almost every patient asks: what can you eat after teeth whitening without undoing the result?
The short answer is to stick to pale, non-acidic food and drink for the first 48 hours. This is often called the white diet after teeth whitening, and it is one of the simplest ways to protect your new shade. Here is what that looks like in practice.
Why Your Diet Matters After Whitening
Whitening gel works by opening the tiny pores in your enamel so it can lift stains from beneath the surface. Those pores take a little while to settle afterwards, and until they do, your teeth absorb colour more easily than usual.
That means a cup of coffee or a bowl of curry can stain freshly whitened teeth far faster than it normally would. Your teeth may also feel slightly more sensitive for a day or two, so very hot, very cold and acidic foods can be uncomfortable as well as staining.
How Long Should You Follow the White Diet?
Most dentists recommend following the white diet for at least 48 hours after whitening. This is when your enamel is at its most porous and most likely to pick up stains.
If you are whitening at home with custom-made trays, your treatment runs over several weeks. In that case, it is sensible to keep to the white diet for a couple of hours after each application, limit staining food and drink throughout the course, and then follow it strictly for 48 hours after your final session. Your dentist will give you advice tailored to your treatment, so always follow their instructions first.
A useful rule of thumb: if it would stain a white shirt, it can stain your teeth.
What Can You Eat After Teeth Whitening?
The white diet is less restrictive than it sounds. You can still eat well, as long as you choose foods that are light in colour and low in acid.
Protein
- Skinless chicken or turkey, grilled, baked or poached
- White fish such as cod, haddock or sea bass
- Egg whites
- Tofu
Carbohydrates
- White rice and plain pasta
- White bread with the crusts removed
- Potatoes, peeled and boiled, mashed or baked
- Porridge made with milk
- Plain, pale cereals
Dairy
- Milk
- Plain or natural yoghurt
- White cheeses such as mozzarella, cottage cheese or cream cheese
Fruit and vegetables
- Bananas
- Peeled apples and pears
- Cauliflower
- White onion
- Peeled cucumber
- Mushrooms
Sauces and extras
- White or cheese sauces in place of tomato-based ones
- Plain mayonnaise
- Salt and white pepper for seasoning
A day on the white diet could be porridge with banana for breakfast, a chicken sandwich on white bread at lunchtime, and baked cod with mashed potato and cauliflower for dinner.
What Can You Drink After Teeth Whitening?
Drinks are where most people slip up, because the worst offenders are the ones we reach for every day. For the first 48 hours, the safest choices are:
- Still water, which is the best option of all
- Milk
- Coconut water
- Clear, non-fizzy drinks without added colouring
Sparkling water is clear, but the bubbles make it mildly acidic, so it is best kept to a minimum while your teeth are settling. White wine and clear spirits will not stain in the way red wine does, but alcohol and acidity can still aggravate sensitive teeth, so it is wise to leave them for a couple of days.
If you really cannot get through the morning without a tea or coffee, add plenty of milk, let it cool, drink it through a straw and rinse with water straight afterwards.
Foods to Avoid After Teeth Whitening
The foods to avoid after teeth whitening fall into two groups: anything strongly coloured, and anything acidic.
Dark and strongly coloured drinks
- Tea and coffee
- Red wine
- Cola and other dark fizzy drinks
- Fruit juices, especially orange, cranberry and blackcurrant
- Dark beers and stouts
Staining foods
- Curry, turmeric and other heavily spiced dishes
- Tomato-based sauces, including ketchup, bolognese and baked beans
- Soy sauce and balsamic vinegar
- Berries, cherries, grapes and beetroot
- Dark chocolate
- Red meat with rich, dark gravies
- Brightly coloured sweets and ice lollies
Acidic foods
- Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit
- Pickles and anything in vinegar
- Fizzy drinks, including the sugar-free kind
Acidic food and drink temporarily softens enamel, which makes it easier for stains to take hold and can heighten sensitivity.
Smoking and vaping
Tobacco is one of the fastest ways to discolour newly whitened teeth. Avoid smoking for at least 48 hours, and for longer if you can.
Practical Tips for the First 48 Hours
- Plan your meals in advance. Stock up on white diet staples before your appointment so you are not tempted by whatever is in the cupboard.
- Keep food and drink lukewarm. Very hot or very cold items can trigger sensitivity while your teeth settle.
- Use a straw. It keeps liquid away from the front surfaces of your teeth.
- Rinse with water after eating. If you do have something you should not, swish with water straight away.
- Wait before brushing. After anything acidic, give it around 30 minutes before you brush so you do not wear softened enamel.
- Choose a white toothpaste. Avoid coloured toothpastes and mouthwashes for the first couple of days. A toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help if you feel any tenderness.
- Check your lipstick. Strongly pigmented lip products can transfer colour onto your teeth too.
Keeping Your Smile Bright for Longer
Once the first 48 hours have passed, you can go back to your normal diet. You do not need to give up coffee or red wine for good, but a few habits will help your results last:
- Drink water alongside tea, coffee and wine, and rinse afterwards
- Use a straw for cold, dark drinks
- Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily
- Keep up with regular hygiene appointments to remove surface stains
- Hold on to your whitening trays so you can top up when your dentist advises
How long whitening lasts depends largely on lifestyle, but with good care the effects can last up to two years.
At Dentistry on the Square, professional whitening starts with a complimentary consultation with a Smile Advisor to check that whitening is suitable for you. Your trays are custom-made to fit your teeth, so the gel stays where it should, and our team is on hand by phone and email if you have questions during your treatment, including what to eat and drink.
If you are thinking about brightening your smile, find out more about teeth whitening glasgow patients trust, or get in touch with our friendly team at Niddrie Square to book your consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink coffee after teeth whitening?
It is best to avoid coffee for at least 48 hours. If you cannot go without, add plenty of milk, let it cool, drink it through a straw and rinse with water afterwards.
Can I eat eggs after teeth whitening?
Egg whites are fine. The yolk has a strong yellow pigment, so leave it out for the first couple of days.
Is the white diet really necessary?
Your teeth will still be whiter if you skip it, but you risk dulling the result during the short period when your enamel is most vulnerable to staining. Two days of careful eating is a small effort to protect your new shade.
What if I accidentally eat something I should not?
Do not panic. Rinse your mouth with water straight away and brush gently about 30 minutes later. One slip is unlikely to spoil your result.
Can I brush my teeth straight after whitening?
Yes, but be gentle. Use a soft toothbrush and a white toothpaste, and switch to one for sensitive teeth if you notice any tenderness.
Will whitening make my teeth sensitive?
Some people notice mild sensitivity for a day or two. It is temporary, and avoiding very hot, very cold and acidic food and drink will help. If it persists, speak to your dentist.
