How Long After Teeth Whitening Can I Eat Foods That May Stain?

Question

After having teeth professionally bleached how long should one wait before consuming darker colored food products? (i.e. brown sodas, red juices, etc.)

Scott Young, DDS · Answer

We use the Zoom Advanced Power machine in our office to whiten teeth. We tell any of our patients receiving Zoom to stay away from food or liquids that have a tendency to stain your teeth. Examples of this would be coffee, tea, red wine, and even some pasta sauces. After 48 hours, the enamel will remineralize and you can go back to your normal diet. If you have to have your "coffee fix" during that time be sure to use a straw to avoid direct contact with the teeth.

Ravi Goyal, BDS · Answer

Usually a patient is advised to refrain from consuming stained foods for 48 hours.Any dark colored foods, caffeine, sodas, turmeric in food should be avoided

Doug Jopling, DDS · Answer

I would recommend not eating or drinking anything with dark  pigments such as tomato sauce or catsup, mustard, red wine, dark berries, dark colas and coffee for about 2 weeks after teeth whitening.

Michael Ayzin, DDS · Answer

Thank you for a great question. I would recommend 48 hours minimum to hold off of foods that may stain teeth.In general consuming coloring foods like curry, red wine, coffee, tea will shorten period of time your teeth say white. You might consider to do touch ups every 2 months if you like above mentioned consumables.Alll the best to you!

Thomas Dey, BDS, MSc · Answer

No one really knows how long is long enough to wait because everyone is different. Some teeth absorb stain quickly and really the only way you will find this out is by testing it for yourself. 48 hours is a good rule because it is manageable, as the process involves letting your teeth go back to normal and not being so porous (to whitening gel or similarly to stain). If you can wait longer that is best to prevent things going backwards. Good luckThomas Dey, BDS, MSc

Nick M. Mobilia, DDS · Answer

After our patients receive Professional Tooth Whitening, either in-office or take-home, we recommend that they refrain from foods and beverages that might stain their teeth.  We recommend waiting 48 hours as this is plenty of time for teeth to rehydrate.  We also recommend immediately expectorating or rinsing with water after drinking and eating these foods that stain.

Natwarlal Tibrewal, BDS · Answer

Longer the better. If you have taken all the effort to whiten your teeth and are enjoying that smile, why to rush and discolour them again. Normally it is suggested 48 hours minimum of no black tea, black coffee, red wine or foods with colours. Best is to keep them to minimum for up to 7 days after.

Norman Huefner, DDS · Answer

Minimum is 24 hours, but it would be better to wait at least 72 hours.

	If you have to eat food or drinks that stain in that period consider rinsing your teeth immediately after consuming the potential offender.  Also, consider drinking staining beverages through a straw.

	The worst offenders are red wine, colas, tea, coffee, blueberries, cranberry juice, and of course, smoking.

Kristen Berning, DDS · Answer

To maximize your whitening results and avoid introducing stain, it is best to wait 48 hours after professionally whitening your teeth before you consume any dark liquids, sauces, or foods.

Gerilyn Alfe, DMD · Answer

It is recommended that you avoid staining foods and drinks for at least 48 hours after whitening your teeth. Obviously the longer you can wait, the better the result. For long term maintenance, drinking staining liquids through a straw helps maintain your color as well as rinsing your mouth with water after. At home maintenance of your bleaching is easy with take home trays or using a paint on bleach after a meal or drink.

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