This useful piece of advice should help guide your eating and drinking decisions over the next 48 hours. Several studies and observations have shown that the foods and drinks we eat and drink can have a big impact on the color of our teeth.
That being said, if you just got your teeth whitened, they are even more likely to get stained. That’s why a white diet is recommended for anyone who has just had the procedure.
We don’t need to go into a lot of detail because that’s what we do, but knowing how a tooth is put together helps you understand what’s going on.
The tooth is broken up into three distinct parts: the root, the neck, and the crown. We’ll only talk about this part because teeth whitening only changes the crown, which is the part of the tooth you can see.
You just had your teeth professionally whitened and you’re eager to show off your bright, beautiful new smile. But before you bite into that hearty BLT, there’s an important question to ask: can I eat bacon after teeth whitening?
Bacon is one of those foods that seems obviously off-limits after a whitening treatment. With its bold red color and tangy flavor, it can easily stain teeth that are freshly bleached and extra sensitive. But the impact of post-whitening bacon may not be as bad as you think. While it’s ideal to avoid bacon for at least 48 hours after whitening, having a few pieces here and there likely won’t ruin your bright new smile.
Why You Should Stick to a “White Diet” After Whitening
After getting your teeth professionally whitened, the structure of your teeth is more vulnerable and prone to restaining. The whitening process opens up pores in the enamel and consuming staining foods and drinks allows color molecules to more easily seep into these pores.
This is why dentists typically recommend sticking to a “white diet” for 1-2 days after your whitening appointment. The white diet limits foods and beverages that can stain or negatively impact your freshly whitened teeth.
Some top staining culprits to avoid include:
- Coffee and tea
- Red or purple juices/soda
- Tomatoes and tomato sauce
- Soy sauce
- Berries
- Red wine
- Curry dishes
- Balsamic vinegar
- Candy and chocolate
The acids in many of these foods and drinks can also irritate sensitive teeth after whitening treatment
Is Bacon Completely Off Limits?
While it’s best to avoid bacon entirely for at least 48 hours after whitening, having a few pieces here and there is unlikely to sabotage your bright new smile. Here’s why bacon isn’t 100% forbidden:
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The red color tends to come off on the plate, not your teeth. As long as you’re not gnawing meat straight off the slab, staining isn’t extreme.
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It’s easy to swish with water while eating bacon to minimize residue. The sodium content can also stimulate saliva production to help rinse your mouth.
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Brushing and flossing afterwards clears away any remaining bits.
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Bacon doesn’t have the same level of acids as citrus, berries, and vinegar that can damage enamel.
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The salty, fatty qualities of bacon make it more satisfying, so you may eat less than other foods.
While an occasional piece of bacon is probably fine, it’s still ideal to minimize consumption those first couple days.
How to Enjoy Bacon Safely After Whitening
If you decide to indulge in a little bacon within 48 hours of your whitening appointment, follow these tips to protect those pearly whites:
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Opt for turkey bacon over pork for a lighter color and flavor.
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Limit yourself to 2-3 pieces max and make it an occasional treat.
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Pair bacon with non-staining foods like eggs, avocado, white rice or potatoes.
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Swish water around your mouth while eating to rinse away particles.
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Brush and floss carefully after eating to remove any lingering bits from crevices.
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Avoid dunking the bacon in staining condiments like ketchup or barbecue sauce.
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Stick to water or milk to drink – avoid juices, wine or coffee.
Healthier, Safer Foods to Eat After Whitening
If you’d rather steer clear of bacon completely after your whitening treatment, plenty of delicious options are lower risk for staining and sensitivity:
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Eggs – Try them scrambled, poached, hard boiled, or in an omelet.
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Plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.
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Avocado toast on white bread.
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Oatmeal topped with bananas or peaches.
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Grilled chicken or baked white fish.
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Tomato-free soups like potato, chicken noodle, or vegetable.
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Salads with vinaigrette instead of creamy dressing.
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Hummus and fresh veg.
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Rice cakes or white tortilla chips with guacamole.
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Peanut butter or sunbutter on banana toast.
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Plain baked potatoes or potato pancakes.
Sticking with a white diet for at least 48 hours after whitening is ideal. But the occasional strip of bacon probably won’t ruin your bright new smile, as long as you take the proper precautions. Listen to your body and avoid bacon or any foods causing major sensitivity or staining issues as you heal.
The Short-Term Effects of Teeth Whitening
While you may have heard about possible dangers of teeth whitening, studies show that it is both safe and low-risk if you consult with a professional.
There are many treatments that can help, but if you’ve been told to go on a temporary white diet, it’s probably because of one of these reasons:
- Dentin Exposure: Hydrogen peroxide is often used to bleach stained areas of teeth, making them whiter. However, this process can temporarily expose the dentin layer, which can make your teeth more sensitive. The dentin layer is easily damaged by bacteria, which is why it’s important to know what foods to avoid after getting your teeth whitened.
- Inflammation of the gums: The process can also irritate your soft tissues, which can be painful. Luckily, this is usually only a short-term side effect that goes away one to three days after the treatment.
During this time, a white diet can mostly help keep your teeth from getting stained, but it can also help ease the pain in your gums.
What Stains Your Teeth?
The three factors that contribute to darkening your teeth are chromogens, tannins, and acids. These are in a lot of common foods and can stain the enamel or weaken it, making it easier for stains to stick.
It might be hard to do some of the things below for 48 hours after treatment, but remember that it’s only for that long. It’s a small, brief sacrifice that will help ensure you have beautiful white teeth for longer.
You now know why your teeth look and feel the way they do. Let’s look at the list of white foods below to see what you can and shouldn’t eat.
- We know that giving up coffee might be hard for some people. If you need it to get through the day, you can add milk to make it less likely to stain. Also, don’t drink more than two cups at a time; studies have shown that the more cups you drink, the more stains you get.
- Tea—dark tea is worse for the color of your teeth than coffee Once more, if you can’t fight the urge, do what was said above.
- Wine—red wine is a dangerous drink because it is acidic and dark. White wine doesn’t stain your teeth by itself, but the acidity makes your enamel weaker, which makes other foods that stain more likely to do so.
- Avoid fizzy drinks at all costs because they are acidic and full of dyes.
- Fruit juices: Stay away from these drinks because they are very acidic.
- Too much soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, or even tomato sauce can be bad for you because of their color and acidity.
- Dark Fruits: Same as above, stay away from fruits like blackberries
- Curry—bet you didn’t know that it stained your pots and pans? It will stain your teeth too! Definitely avoid this food after treatment to be safe.
- Chocolate and sweets—think about what color your tongue is after eating some sweets. It’s the same way that your teeth can get stained.
- Tobacco: The phrase “smokers teeth” is used a lot for a good reason. We strongly advise that you do not smoke after your procedure. To help you fight the urge to smoke, try nicotine patches and other products.