The White Diet

Teeth whitening aftercare diet

After a teeth whitening treatment, the pores of your enamel are open and this makes them extra vulnerable to any stains which can reverse a lot of the whitening benefits from your treatment. Follow the white diet for 24-48 hours after a teeth whitening treatment. Once the pores close, which usually happens within 24-48 hours after the procedure, you can resume your normal habits. An easy rule to remember is anything that would stain white fabric; avoid it!

Remember, the more staining in your diet and lifestyle, the faster your teeth will re-stain. Taking care with what you eat will keep your smile whiter for longer.

The white diet

Non-staining beverages
Non-alcoholic	Alcoholic
Water Sparkling water Milk	Vodka Gin White wine Champagne
Beverages to Avoid
Non-alcoholic	Alcoholic
Juice Tea Coffee Fizzy drinks	Red wine Stout or dark beer Coloured mixed drinks Coloured cocktails Dark spirits
Non-staining food	Foods to avoid
Chicken Turkey White fish White rice White pasta White sauce Cauliflower Cottage cheese Potatoes (no skin) Bananas Peeled apples	Coloured fruit and vegetables i.e., Capsicum, carrots and orange fruits and vegetables Broccoli, spinach, and green vegetables Dark and milk chocolate Rye and dark bread Tomatoes and red sauces such as spaghetti sauce Curries and pickles Beetroot Berries Butter and margarine Coloured lollies

Additional information

Avoid extremely hot or cold liquids:

These are dangerous to your white smile because they change the temperature of your teeth. This temperature change (hot and cold cycling) causes teeth to expand and contract, allowing stains to penetrate your teeth. Try cutting down on these types of drinks (including coffee and tea) or try drinking them with a straw to reduce the amount of time they are in contact with your teeth.

Avoid foods and drinks that are acidic:

Acidic foods and beverages open the pores of the tooth enamel allowing stains to more easily penetrate your teeth. Use a straw to help minimize the contact of these substances with your teeth.

Cut back on drinking and smoking:

Frequent consumption of alcoholic drinks and heavy smoking can reverse the effects of teeth whitening. Many alcoholic drinks such as wine have tannins that can stain the teeth. The same goes for the nicotine in tobacco. If you cannot quit drinking and smoking, at least try and reduce the frequency.

Use smudge-proof lipstick:

Use smudge-proof lipstick to keep lipstick from getting on your teeth because regular lipstick can stain teeth. Also, avoid tinted lip balm.

For long-lasting results, be sure to follow the white diet during and after every tooth whitening treatment.