Have you brightened your smile with Zoom whitening and want to maintain it for as long as you can? Then, you need to be mindful of what to eat after Zoom whitening. Generally, dentists advise not to consume anything that causes staining after the procedure.
Post-procedure, the first 48 hours decide how long the result would last. It might seem daunting, but your gleaming smile is well worth the sacrifice.
To help you make informed decisions, this blog includes the foods and drinks that won’t alter your smile by staining your teeth.
So, without further ado, learn what to eat after Zoom whitening.
Why You Need to Steer Clear of Pigmented Food Items?
As the procedure involves the application of hydrogen peroxide for whitening, it makes the teeth porous for two days. Due to that, the pigmented components have a leeway to seep into the teeth.
Elements that Promote Teeth-Staining
In a variety of food and drink options, you can find elements that can ruin the dazzling smile you get after the Zoom Whitening.
Following are those three elements you need to watch out for:
Acids: can lead to tooth erosion, leaving your teeth to appear yellow.
Chromogens: these compounds stick to your enamel, leading to stubborn stains.
Tannins: these aid chromogens to cling to your teeth.
Red wine, black tea, and Cola are some of the examples of items containing these compounds. That’s why a Kitchener dentist will always tell you to avoid these after the whitening treatment.
To limit the intake of these elements, the patients can stick to a white diet. If you are unfamiliar with the term ‘white diet’ and wonder what to eat after Zoom whitening, you’ll explore it in the next section.
List of Foods Included in the White Diet
As the name suggests, this diet includes a number of food choices that are white in colour.
Following are the items our Kitchener dentist would ask you to eat on a white diet:
1.White Fish
Fish has proteins that are great for your oral and general health. When opting to eat fish in your daily meals, make sure the fish is not black. On top of that, don’t end up adding dark-coloured seasonings containing dyes or naturally dark pigments that might stain your teeth.
In order to make it delectable, you are allowed to add white sauces.
2.White Meat
The best thing about the treatment is that you don’t need to fret about what to eat after Zoom whitening. You'll find multiple choices whether you are vegetarian or prefer the non-vegetarian options.
For instance, you can go for turkey and chicken if not fish. These are yet other healthy options that do not contain acids and help you achieve outstanding aftercare options.
3.Rice
Now that you know the foods rich in protein, rice is what to eat after Zoom whitening as a sideline. It goes perfectly with numerous edibles.
As it is filling, you won’t have to rely on snacks and sodas to keep the hunger pangs at bay.
4.Tofu
It is an incredible source of protein and other nutrients. And, you can add it to a variety of dishes for flavour.
5.Porridge
For breakfast, you can go with a warm bowl of porridge and oatmeal. This is a great choice to add to your what to eat after Zoom whitening list.
6.Egg Whites
You can have your routine breakfast meal with eggs and toast. However, remove the yolk. The deep yellow colour of it can spell doom for your teeth.
7.White Bread
Separate the crust of the bread to ensure that nothing in the bread might harm your teeth.
8.Pasta
For many people, leaving out carbs is almost a painful task. Fortunately, according to our Kitchener dentist, you can have pasta after Zoom whitening. It does not contain any compound that can affect the colour of your teeth.
Even though it is a great option for what to eat after Zoom whitening, you need to be cautious while cooking it. Don’t get carried away while making some pasta; leave the tomato or pesto sauce untouched until our Kitchener dentist tells you.
Certainly, you can pick white sauce pasta when adding ingredients to your what to eat after Zoom whitening list.
9.White Onions
Even red onions don’t have a high amount of pigment, so they won’t leave those tough stains. Yet, just to be extra safe, you can choose white onion.
10.Yogurt
Yogurt in its natural form can be added to the list of what to eat after Zoom whitening. The flavoured ones you purchase from the supermarkets have artificial colours that can destroy fabulous teeth. Plus, it helps in lowering the rate of tooth decay.
11.Cheese
White cheeses are an amazing option to have while following this diet. They are packed with nutrients, providing you with energy and taste. Dairy products have calcium that helps restore enamel and make teeth stronger. So, don’t forget it when you consider what to eat after Zoom whitening.
12.Water
It is important to hydrate yourself to preserve your bright smile that boosts your self-confidence. It is not going to stain your teeth or wear down your enamel as it stimulates saliva production. Tap water has some fluoride content in it. So, if it is filtered and clean, don’t hesitate to drink it.
13.Other Beverages
Clear sodas and white beverages are risk-free. But, if you are facing sensitivity issues, you can use a straw to sip up the drinks. Not to forget, you can add milk to your what to eat after Zoom whitening checklist, too.
14.Vegetables and Fruits
Potatoes are a common option on our list of what to eat after Zoom whitening. Once you peel them, you can eat as much as you want and cook them with different recipes as well.
The rest of the light-coloured vegetables and fruits can be consumed on a white diet. For instance, cauliflower and mushrooms are good for your teeth.
You can eat fruits as an alternative to snacks that pose a risk to your whitened teeth. Bananas, apples, and pears are some of the preferred fruits.
To get more options, you can take a look at our blog on 11 Soft Foods to Eat After Oral Surgery for Optimal Recovery.
What Not to Eat After Zoom Teeth Whitening
Now that you know what to eat after Zoom whitening, let’s move on to what you need to cut out. If you think you can't quit smoking or avoid acidic and pigmented food items, remember it is only for two days. The whitening treatment will last up to 2-3 years by sticking to the right practices.
Following are the drinks and food items you need to avoid at all costs to prevent teeth staining:
1.Coffee
As mentioned earlier, coffee is bad for your teeth. Those who think they can’t operate without a cup of coffee can lessen the intensity of staining. It is a bitter truth that you can’t have more than two cups, even if you are a heavy coffee drinker.
2.Tea
Teas that are darker in colour can leave unpleasant marks. You can opt for the lighter ones if you crave tea. Or, make it with less tea and more milk.
3.Wine
Red wine leaves the worst stains. It is not only acidity; the colour is dark. If you are replacing it with white wine, that, too, won’t do any good. All wines stain your teeth by weakening your enamel.
4.Sodas and Juices
Fruit juices and frizzy drinks have colours and high acidity.
5.Sauce
Condiments, sauces, seasonings, and curries are all bad. You must have seen the stains they leave on your clothes or hands. So, you can imagine what they’d do to your teeth.
Due to this reason, with what to eat after Zoom whitening, you need to be careful of these items as well.
6.Sweets and Chocolate
A high content of refined sugar is destructive to your oral health. Again, anything that is sweet in taste is acidic. Also, most of the candies have colour. Similarly, the dark tannins in chocolate are high-risk.
That said, we can end the list of what to eat after Zoom whitening and what to avoid.
Bonus Tips for Better Treatment Results by Our Kitchener Dentist
You should never take your teeth for granted after Zoom whitening. Any kind of dental treatment is solely a remedy to restore your smile. It doesn’t come with a warranty card that your teeth will never get new stains.
Scroll down to find out the achievable ways to maintain your smile:
Pre-Treatment Care
A desensitizing toothpaste and a toothbrush with soft bristles can be used as early as ten days before your whitening treatment. These toothpastes will aid in preventing pain signals from reaching your tooth's inner nerve from its outer surface.
If you want maximum benefits, let the toothpaste sit on your teeth's surface for a few minutes before spitting it out. You can continue brushing using non-abrasive toothpaste even after the treatment.
If you want you can include the items of our what to eat after Zoom whitening list during this phase.
Post-Treatment Care
When preparing a meal, combine the foods with lighter-coloured fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, green beans, and celery, to add crispiness and an acid-neutralizing factor to your meals.
In case you accidentally devour anything with a dark colour, there is no need to panic. Clean your teeth immediately after eating to rinse your mouth.
Once you finish your meal and engage in other activities, chew some sugar-free gum for a couple of minutes.
Only memorizing the list of what to eat after Zoom whitening won’t be enough. You’ll have to consider the food's temperature. As you already know, your freshly whitened teeth can have sensitivity issues initially. Therefore, the food should be too cold and hot.
You can brush your teeth and use floss to clean up the tongue. But, it is best not to use a mouthwash within 48 hours.
Oftentimes, sensitivity often lasts one to three days for patients. To ease the discomfort because of sensitivity, it is suggested to take acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Routine Touch-ups
Your dentist may give the patients at-home bleaching trays. By using them, it becomes simpler to extend the effect of the initial treatment. Nevertheless, it must be used in the correct manner. Otherwise, it can make teeth more sensitive.
When utilising the at-home trays, think about doing so once every six months, especially if the consumption of wine or coffee is high.
One tray can last several days. Place the tray in your mouth for one to two hours after adding the whitening gel. However, limit yourself to no more than two touch-ups every session.
For dental care visits after the treatment, you should head to a reliable dentist. To get more information on the checkups, go through our blog on Dental Clinics in Kitchener: All You Need to Know.
FAQs
1.Is it possible to whiten my teeth at home?
Yes, you can whiten your teeth to some extent with the over-the-counter strips you get in the market or even with baking soda.
2.How long does the Zoom whitening procedure take?
The procedure is usually broken down into three 15-minute sessions. So, the patient will achieve a pearly white smile in 45 minutes.
3.Will the effect of Zoom whitening treatment last a lifetime?
No, the results are not permanent. The duration of the result can stay up to 6 months to 3 years.
In Conclusion
That was our list of what to eat after Zoom whitening. As you can see, you don’t need to live off tasteless options to eat to protect your teeth.
There are many items you can choose to eat at different times of the day. Remember, this little trade-off can give you a brighter smile for a long time.
Moreover, if you haven’t done this treatment yet and are considering it, search for a reliable dentist.
KWC dental is an absolute expert in giving you a mini-makeover with the Zoom whitening treatment.
We promise superlative results and safety in every dental procedure. With a one-time visit, you will understand the level of professionalism and perfection of our dental work. To book a free consultation, visit our Kitchener dentist.
