Can You Eat After Using Teeth Whitening Strips?

So, you’ve applied your teeth whitening strips and followed all the instructions, and now your dazzling smile is ready for that dinner date. But can you even eat after using them? Well, the short answer is yes, but with caution.

Confused? Allow us to help you out.

In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about eating after whitening strips, including why you should be careful, how long you should wait, which foods you should avoid, and more.

Why you should be careful about eating after whitening strips

Whitening strips do what they say on the tin (whiten your teeth), but they also make your teeth more susceptible to staining and sensitivity. So eating or drinking straight after using them can drastically affect your results.

As soon as you remove the strips, your teeth are more porous. In other words, they’re more likely to absorb colours from food and drink. This porosity can last for a few hours, so it’s best to tread carefully when deciding whether now is a good time to eat.

How long should you wait before eating?

Some say that rinsing your mouth with a whitening mouthwash after eating can help stop your more porous teeth from staining. However, this isn’t widely supported. So, we recommend avoiding staining food and drink for one to two hours after a whitening strip treatment. Water is fine.

Best foods to eat after using whitening strips

While many foods are off limits after using whitening strips (as we’ll discuss in the next section), some foods are safe to eat after whitening treatments, strips included. You can safely drink water and eat the foods listed below:

✓Chicken

You can eat chicken safely after using whitening strips. But keep in mind that any sauces or spices you add could cause staining. We aren’t suggesting you eat nothing but plain chicken breast forever, but you should temporarily avoid lots of seasoning. Go with the bare minimum to prevent pesky stains.

✓Bread

Bread won’t stain your teeth on its own. However, the spread you slather on it may. So, stick to butter or cream cheese to avoid staining your freshly whitened smile.

✓Yoghurt

Like most other dairy products, yoghurt is safe after whitening your teeth. Treat yourself to some plain Greek yoghurt for the best results. That way, you won’t risk eating dye-heavy foods.

✓Rice

Rice is another neutral food that you can eat after using whitening strips. Just stay away from brightly coloured spices. Stick to the bare minimum for now.

Foods and drinks to avoid after whitening strips

As we mentioned earlier, there are quite a few foods and drinks you should avoid straight after whitening strips. These include the following:

✕Tea and coffee

Even though most people think of coffee as the staining culprit, both of these popular drinks can re-stain your teeth after using whitening strips. So, avoid them temporarily for the best results.

✕Staining fruits

Berries are notorious for staining your teeth. If you’re desperate to eat them, make a smoothie to dilute their staining properties, and don’t forget the power of a straw to keep the juice away from your newly bright smile.

✕Colourful spices

Turmeric (the main spice in curries) stains your fingers. And if it stains your fingers, just imagine the havoc it wreaks on your teeth! Resist that bowl of curry for now.

✕Red wine

Red wine may be enjoyable to drink, but it can leave a reddish stain on your pearly whites. They won’t be so pearly white after this tipple.

✕Acidic foods like citrus

Oranges, grapefruits, pineapples, and lemons can seriously damage your teeth. By avoiding them, you’ll not only prevent re-staining, you’ll also protect your tooth enamel long term.

Tips for keeping your teeth whiter after whitening strips

Whitening strips work wonders, but keeping your teeth whiter afterwards can be a challenge. Here are a few tips to help you out:

✓Use straws

Drinking through a straw keeps liquid away from your teeth. That way, you can enjoy fruit juices and other drinks without worry.

✓Floss

Flossing helps maintain whiteness by removing the food particles that build up along your gums and between your teeth.

✓Brush

Brushing twice daily with a dentist-recommended toothbrush and toothpaste keeps re-staining at bay. To maximise your results, brush after every meal.

✓Use whitening toothpaste

Use whitening toothpaste once or twice a week to maintain the brightness the strips gave you.

Can you eat after teeth whitening strips?

Try to wait one to two hours after using whitening strips before eating anything that could stain. And when you do, avoid tea, coffee, citrus fruits, wine, colourful spices, and berries to prevent stains on your freshly whitened teeth. Your smile will thank you for it!