Foods to Eat and Avoid & Aftercare Tips for Teeth Whitening
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a popular smile enhancement procedure that is affordable and offers first results. The procedure is fast, painless, and has a short recovery time; patients can have it and go back to work the same day. The results of teeth whitening are not permanent; however, there are steps you can follow to ensure the cosmetic results last for an extended period. This article will explain which foods to eat and avoid to ensure your teeth remain white for an extended period.
Why Do You Need Teeth Whitening?
No one wants their teeth to appear stained and yellow. For that reason, people have begun embracing teeth whitening as an affordable way of enhancing their smile. Below are a few reasons why you should consider whitening your teeth:
> Enhances Your Smile
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. But we all know that a beautiful smile has the same effect as putting up makeup. Whiter teeth will enhance your smile’s appearance and change how people interact with you. Studies show that many people find white teeth attractive, which may make people find you more approachable. Visit our dentist near you to get teeth bleaching in Houston, TX, 77024 to make your smile more beautiful.
> Boosts Self Confidence
Small changes in your life can make a huge difference. Undergoing teeth bleaching can boost your confidence and self-esteem. The confidence boost will also prove effective in the workplace, as it will allow you to be bold.
> Helps Look Younger
Not all cases of teeth discoloration are linked to bad oral hygiene and unhealthy lifestyle habits. Aging can cause your teeth to wear with frequent use, causing your teeth’ enamel to wear. As a result, your teeth will develop stains more easily, making your teeth less attractive. Through dental bleaching, a teeth whitening dentist can restore your teeth’s white appearance, making you look youthful.
> Improves Social Life
Unattractive teeth lead to low self-esteem, which in turn affects your social life. Patients with stained teeth tend to be self-conscious of their smile’s appearance forcing some of them to shy away from social interactions. Fixing your dental imperfection may improve your social life by giving you a confidence boost, making it easier for you to interact with people.
What Foods to Eat & Avoid After Professional Teeth Whitening?
Your diet matters when it comes to maintaining your teeth’ white appearance. Below are dietary tips to follow after getting teeth whitening:
1) Stop Taking Tea and Coffee
It’s no secret that coffee and tea are essential to many people’s lives and even have health benefits. Many people take coffee in the morning to help them kick start their daily routines. Unfortunately, regular consumption of the stimulants may negatively affect your teeth. Both tea and coffee contain organic materials and tannins, which have been proven to cause dental discoloration. Quitting tea or coffee abruptly is nearly impossible for some patience as they have been accustomed to taking them daily. We recommend slowly reducing tea and coffee consumption as you replace them with other healthy alternatives such as milk.
2) Avoid Acidic Food and Drinks
A lot of people assume most foods, including those with high acid concentrations, to be healthy. It’s, therefore, shocking for some people when we tell them fruits like lemon, lime, and oranges could be bad for their teeth. Research has found acid-based foods and drinks to be bad for teeth as they can weaken the tooth enamel making it easier for decay and stains to form on the teeth. You can consume acidic drinks so long as you use a straw or take them in a manner that shields them from coming into contact with your teeth. Alternatively, you can slowly quit these food intakes by reducing the amounts consumed daily.
3) Eat Crunchy Fruits and Vegetables
Crunchy fruits and vegetables are good for your teeth as they help keep them clean. Besides having health benefits, crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, celery, and carrots stimulate your mouth to release more saliva, which helps clean your teeth. In addition, the foods are textured, which helps scrub away food particles from the tooth surface.
4) Practice Good Dental Hygiene
Plaque and bacteria accumulation exposes your teeth to stains, discolorations, and cavities. Brush and floss your teeth regularly to eliminate food particles that may stain your teeth. Some tooth-cleaning products can be harmful to your teeth. Talk to our teeth whitening dentist near you for recommendations on the best tooth-cleaning products.
5) Stop Smoking and Drinking Red Wine
If you smoke or drink red wine regularly, our dentist in 77024 will likely recommend quitting both, as they can damage your teeth. The nicotine and tar from smoking cause teeth to change from a white shade to a brown or yellowish color. On the other hand, red wine contains tannin, which has the same effect when in frequent contact with teeth.
Get Teeth Whitening Near You
Teeth whitening is a simple, effective procedure that requires discipline to ensure its cosmetic results last for an extended period. Before undergoing teeth whitening, it’s good to familiarize yourself with dietary tips that will help you maintain your white appearance. Give us a call or book an appointment with Lynn Alan Palmer DDS to get teeth whitening in Houston and other cosmetic and restorative dental procedures.