So, you’ve applied your teeth whitening strips and followed all the instructions, and now your dazzling smile is ready for that dinner date. But can you even eat after using them? Well, the short answer is yes, but with caution.
Confused? Allow us to help you out.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about eating after whitening strips, including why you should be careful, how long you should wait, which foods you should avoid, and more.
Why You Should Be Careful About Eating After Whitening Strips
Despite whitening strips doing what they say on the tin (whitening your teeth), they cause your teeth to become more susceptible to staining and sensitivity. Thus, eating or drinking straight after using them can drastically impact your results.
As soon as you remove the strips, your teeth are more porous. In other words, they’re more vulnerable to absorbing colours from food and drink. Such porosity can last for a few hours, so it’s best to tread carefully when deciding whether now is a good time to eat.
How Long Should You Wait Before Eating?
Some say that rinsing your mouth out with a teeth-whitening mouthwash after eating can help stop your more porous teeth from staining. However, this isn’t widely corroborated. Therefore, we recommend waiting at least two hours before eating or drinking anything following a whitening strip treatment.
Best Foods to Eat After Using Whitening Strips
While many foods are off limits after using whitening strips (as we’ll discuss in the next section), there are some foods that are safe to eat following whitening treatments (strips included).
You can safely drink water and eat the foods listed below:
- Chicken — You can eat chicken safely after using whitening strips. But keep in mind that any sauces or spices you add could cause staining. While we aren’t suggesting you eat nothing but plain chicken breast forever, you should temporarily avoid lots of seasoning. Go with the bare minimum to prevent pesky stains.
- Bread — Bread won’t stain your teeth on its own. However, the spread you slather onto it may. So, stick to butter only or cream cheese to avoid staining your freshly whitened smile.
- Yoghurt — Alongside the majority of other dairy products, you can safely consume yoghurt after whitening your teeth. Treat yourself to some plain Greek yoghurt for best results. That way, you won’t run the risk of consuming dye-heavy foods.
- Rice — Rice is another neutral food that you can eat after whitening strip use. Just remember to stay away from the brightly coloured spices. Stick to the bare minimum for now.
Foods and Drinks to Avoid After Whitening Strips
As we mentioned earlier, there are quite a few foods and drinks you should avoid straight after whitening strips. These include the following:
- Tea and coffee — Even though most people consider coffee to be the staining culprit, both these popular beverages can restain your teeth after using whitening strips. So, temporarily avoid them for best results.
- Staining fruits — Berries are notorious for staining your teeth. If you’re desperate to eat them, make a smoothie to dilute their staining properties and don’t forget the power of a straw to keep the juice away from your newly bright smile.
- Colourful spices — Turmeric (the main spice in curries) stains your fingers. And if it stains your fingers, just imagine the havoc it wreaks on your teeth! Resist that bowl of curry for now.
- Wine — Red wine may be enjoyable to drink, but it can cause a reddish stain on your pearly whites. They won’t be so pearly white after this tipple.
- Acidic foods like citrus — Oranges, grapefruits, pineapples, and lemons can seriously damage your teeth. By avoiding them, you’ll not only prevent restaining, but you’ll also improve your tooth enamel long term.
Tips for Maintaining Whiter Teeth After Whitening Strips
Whitening strips work wonders, but maintaining whiter teeth afterwards can be a challenge. Here are a few tips to help you out:
- Use straws — Drinking through a straw ensures the liquid doesn’t pass through your teeth. As such, you can indulge in fruit juices and beverages without worry.
- Floss — Flossing your teeth helps maintain whiteness by removing all the food particles that can accumulate along your gums and between each tooth.
- Brush — Brushing twice daily with a dentist-recommended toothbrush and toothpaste keeps any restaining at bay. To maximise your results, brush after every meal.
- Use whitening toothpaste — Use whitening toothpaste at least once or twice a week to maintain the brightness provided by the strips.
Can You Eat After Teeth Whitening Strips?
Try to wait at least two hours after using whitening strips before eating. And when you do indulge, avoid tea, coffee, citrus fruits, wine, colourful spices, and berries to prevent any stains appearing on your freshly whitened teeth. Your smile will thank you for it!
