White diet after teeth whitening and cleaning: what you can and can’t eat

What is a white diet and why is it needed after dental procedures

A white diet is a nutritional system based on the consumption of food without natural or artificial dyes for a certain period after the whitening procedure. It is critically important, since during professional procedures the enamel becomes temporarily porous and susceptible to external factors.

Procedures such as photo-whitening of teeth involve the use of active substances that break down internal pigments. As a result, the dentinal tubules remain open, and the protective pellicle (a thin protein film on the surface) temporarily disappears. If dyes are present in the diet at this time, they easily penetrate the structure, which can lead to a change in shade or the appearance of stains. Statistics show that ignoring the diet in the first 48 hours reduces the effectiveness of whitening by 30-40%.

What not to eat after teeth whitening: diet features

Completing an aesthetic correction session involves completely eliminating foods with intense coloring. Understanding what not to eat after teeth whitening helps avoid a rapid recurrence of enamel darkening:

• Drinks: strong black coffee, tea (even green), red wine, sweet carbonated waters with dyes, juices, fruit drinks.
• Vegetables and fruits: beets, carrots, tomatoes, berries (blueberries, blueberries, cherries, strawberries), dark grapes.
• Sauces and seasonings: soy sauce, ketchup, balsamic vinegar, turmeric, curry, paprika.
• Sweets: chocolate, cocoa-containing products, colored candies, ice cream.

Foods with a high content of organic acids, such as citrus fruits and sour apples, are particularly dangerous. Although there is no bright pigment, the acid temporarily softens the surface layer of the enamel, making it even more vulnerable to any external dyes. Due to the peculiarities of the whitening technology, teeth become more permeable to external stimuli, so even moderately colored food can leave a lasting mark on the dentin structure.

White diet: what you can eat

A white diet after whitening is not starvation, but only a restriction of the color range of products. It is aimed at eating light foods, without the threat of pigmentation and irritation of sensitive enamel. The diet during restrictions can be quite diverse and nutritious:

• Dairy products: white cottage cheese, kefir, natural yogurt without additives, milk, light varieties of hard cheese.
• Protein origin: chicken or turkey meat (preferably fillet), white fish (cod, hake), egg white.
• Side dishes: rice, pasta without dyes, mashed potatoes (without added spices), white beans.
• Vegetables and fruits: cauliflower, white cabbage, peeled cucumbers, bananas, peeled pears.
• Flour products: white bread (preferably without crust), pita bread.

It is important that the food is at a moderate temperature, since hot or too cold dishes can cause pain on the background of temporary hyperesthesia.

What you can and cannot do after brushing your teeth

Hygienic cleaning (ultrasound or Air-Flow) removes tartar and plaque, exposing the clean surface of the enamel. The white diet after brushing your teeth is somewhat shorter in duration, but is just as necessary to prevent the rapid formation of new plaque. When figuring out what you can’t eat after brushing your teeth, patients should pay attention to the color of the food, its texture and temperature. In the first hours, the enamel is devoid of a protective layer, therefore:

• It is forbidden: to consume acidic foods (citrus fruits, apples, carbonated drinks), as acids soften the surface layer of the tooth.
• It is not recommended: to smoke for 2-3 hours, because nicotine resins instantly fill the open pores of the enamel, creating a «smoker's plaque».
• What can you eat after brushing your teeth: the best choice would be soft foods at room temperature, such as cereals or dairy products.

It is also important to know about the rules of hygiene: in the first 12 hours, you should use only a new soft toothbrush so as not to injure sensitive gums and not introduce bacteria from the old bristles.

White diet after whitening: how many days to follow

The period of restrictions depends on the method of the procedure and the individual porosity of the patient's enamel. Usually, the dentist sets a schedule for a gradual return to the usual diet. The universal rule is to adhere to the strictest regimen during the first 48 hours. It is during this period that a new protective film is formed. Useful tips:

• When teeth whitening is performed, the diet should last from 7 to 14 days. The first 2 days - a complete rejection of pigments, then - a gradual introduction of products, provided that the mouth is thoroughly rinsed.
• Using mouthwashes: after using any coloring products (for example, sauces or fruits), be sure to rinse your mouth with clean water.
• Proper hygiene: use toothpastes with a low abrasiveness index (RDA up to 70-80) so as not to injure the enamel, which is still in the color stabilization stage.
• Additional mineralization: the doctor may prescribe special mousses or gels for home use that close the dentinal tubules and strengthen the tooth structure, making it less susceptible to plaque.

If professional hygiene was performed, the white diet usually lasts 1-2 days. This time is enough to restore the pellicle and normalize the sensitivity of the gums. Following these simple rules ensures that the investment in a snow-white smile will pay off with a long-lasting and bright result.