5 Surprising Foods That Irritate Teeth Whitening
We all want to avoid yellowing unsightly teeth and when taking into account that the state of your teeth can greatly impact your general appearance and affect your confidence, routine oral hygiene and teeth whitening are important. Opting to use teeth whitening kits that are easily available from online retailers such as Pearly Whites is a fantastic way to keep your teeth at their whitest. There are a variety of different types of teeth whitening kits to consider such as charcoal strips and convenient whitening pens that are simple and convenient for regular teeth whitening.
The color of your teeth is impacted by various factors such as age, smoking, and other lifestyle habits. Because even medicines and health conditions can also impact the state of your teeth, more and more individuals are opting to use teeth whitening kits to help maintain ideally white teeth. Even though these kits are becoming increasingly popular, there are a few things that you should take into account before using them.
While the practice of teeth whitening is generally considered quite safe and will most definitely improve the overall appearance and color of your teeth, there are certain foods that can affect the whitening process. Tea and coffee are well-known culprits of yellowing and stained teeth, although, there are also other foods that can be just as bad for your teeth, especially if you have just whitened them. The below-mentioned foods should be avoided as they can negatively impact teeth whitening.
#1 Oranges
The whitening agents used in teeth whitening kits can slightly weaken your teeth’s enamel for a short period of time and as a result, you should rather avoid eating acidic fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes. This is because these fruits can greatly increase the acidity in your saliva, which could harm your teeth when considering that your teeth’s protective enamel has temporarily been weakened.
#2 Beetroot
Red, blue, and purple fruits and vegetables are often responsible for staining and discoloring teeth. Foods such as beetroot, blueberries, and grapes can undo the work of teeth whitening agents and therefore, you should avoid eating these foods for a short period after you have whitened your teeth. Additionally, dark-colored drinks such as wine and coffee should also be avoided as they can cause visible stains on your teeth.
#3 Cheese
Cheese and snacks that contain powdered cheese, such as chips, can, unfortunately, encourage a yellowing smile. You may have already noticed that cheese and cheesy snacks have a tendency to leave a build up of yellow plaque and food particles in teeth and gums. It is great to steer clear of cheesy foods for a few days after you have used a teeth whitening kit and to rather brush your teeth directly after eating a cheesy snack in the future to help prevent plaque build up.
#4 Tomato Sauce
Not only is tomato sauce quite acidic but it is also capable of staining your teeth, especially if you have just used a whitening kit. In general, you should rather stay away from foods that are dark in color after whitening your teeth as foods such as tomato sauce and soy sauce will likely leave unsightly stains on your teeth.
#5 Dark Chocolate
While any chocolate is undeniably bad for your teeth because chocolate generally contains high quantities of sugar, dark chocolate may not contain as much sugar but it can stain your teeth. As with tomato sauce and soy sauce, dark chocolate can leave stains on your freshly whitening teeth because it is a dark colored food and should be avoided for a few days after you have whitened your teeth.
Preventing teeth sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity can be extremely unpleasant and even though teeth whitening kits are generally safe to use, they can cause mild teeth sensitivity for a few days after using them, which can be significantly unpleasant. To avoid sensitivity and mild discomfort, it is a great idea to make use of desensitizing gel before and after the whitening process. Additionally, you can also use a soft bristle toothbrush, toothpaste that is specifically designed to reduce tooth sensitivity, and alcohol-free mouthwash to ease tooth sensitivity.
Regular teeth whitening is unlikely to damage your teeth and your gums, although, shortening the time that your teeth are exposed to the whitening agents can also greatly reduce sensitivity. You should also avoid hot and cold beverages after whitening your teeth to prevent discomfort. It is vital to practice routine oral hygiene in order to keep your teeth clean and healthy. However, it is recommended to speak to your dentist if tooth sensitivity does not improve within 48 hours of whitening your teeth.
