Q: I’m bleaching my teeth to make them whiter. Is there anything I should eat or not eat to get the best results?
A: During the active phase of bleaching, and immediately after, tooth enamel is much more susceptible to stains and demineralization (especially following in-office bleaching, which is more intense). Be careful to avoid eating sugary foods, dried fruits, or other sticky carbohydrates, which can also cause demineralization. In addition, avoid foods that can easily stain your teeth, such as
coffee, tea, red wine, tomato sauce, and grape juice — basically, if it can stain your clothes, it might stain your newly whitened teeth.
Dentists typically recommend staying away from any foods that can stain your teeth for three days after each bleaching procedure. And because all whitening products are not created equal, always ask your dentist about the safest way to whiten your teeth.