If your child has stubborn dental stains or discoloration that won’t be lifted by improved oral hygiene, professional teeth whitening treatments from their pediatric dentist may be just the thing to make their smiles bright and shiny. While these take-home kits can make a child’s smile up to eight shades whiter over about two weeks, their teeth will be more susceptible to developing new stains for a few days after the treatment is over. Here’s a brief list of foods for your child to avoid so they can preserve the results of their teeth whitening treatment.
Skip Acidic Foods and Beverages
If you wonder where the sourness of citrus fruit or the burn of hot sauce comes from, the answer is acid. While these chemicals can provide an interesting kick to the flavors of many foods and beverages, acid is among the worst things for your teeth since it begins to weaken their enamel on contact while also making the smile more vulnerable to stains. After your child has received teeth whitening, help them avoid:
- Citrus fruit such as lemons, limes, and oranges
- Pineapples
- Pickled foods
- Processed meats
- Hot sauce
- Fruit juices
- Soda
Dodge the Dark Dining Options
Many sauces, foods, and beverages are dark in color, and this usually means that they are high in pigments and dyes that can leave stains on vulnerable teeth. A few items for your child to stay away from include:
- Colas and other sodas
- Barbeque sauce
- Soy sauce
- Ketchup
- Grape Juice
- Coffee
- Tea
- Dark fruits and veggies like berries, red cabbage, grapes, carrots, beets, cherries, pomegranates, and dark, leafy greens
What Should My Child Eat After Teeth Whitening?
Immediately after teeth whitening, it is best to stick to soft, white, mild foods that can be served cool or at room temperature such as mashed potatoes, yogurt, and cauliflower. This will help your child avoid exposing their vulnerable smile to stain-causing pigments and dyes and acids that can harm their recovering enamel while protecting their sensitive teeth from uncomfortable temperature changes. Once your child’s teeth have had a few days after their teeth whitening treatment to replenish the minerals in their enamel, they should be able to comfortably resume eating normally again.
Teeth whitening can be an excellent way to help a child achieve a more beautiful smile. Following your child’s cosmetic dentist’s posttreatment instructions can help them maintain their remarkable results.
About the Practice
Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry specializes in treating children ages 0-18 at their comfortable Colorado office. Led by Drs. Layne Benzley and Bianca Hoffman, the staff provides effective treatments and stellar customer service in a kid-friendly environment. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening. To schedule your child’s teeth whitening consultation, contact the office online or dial (303) 660-5373.