1. Dark-Colored Beverages

These are some of the most common culprits for post-whitening stains:

• • Coffee and espresso

• • Tea (especially black or green)

• • Red wine

• • Colas and dark sodas

• • Sports drinks with colorants

• • Dark fruit juices (like grape, cranberry, blueberry)

Tip: If you must drink these, use a straw to minimize contact with your front teeth, and rinse with water afterward.

2. Deeply Pigmented Foods

Any food that can stain a white shirt can also stain your newly whitened teeth.

Avoid:

• • Soy sauce

• • Tomato sauce and ketchup

• • Curry and turmeric-rich dishes

• • Beets and beet juice

• • Blueberries, blackberries, and cherries

• • Balsamic vinegar

• • Dark chocolate and cocoa-based sauces

Whitening-friendly alternative: Choose light-colored sauces like Alfredo, mashed potatoes, white fish, chicken breast, and peeled apples.

3. Acidic Foods and Drinks

Acid weakens enamel and increases sensitivity. After whitening, your teeth are already more sensitive and slightly demineralized, so acids can prolong discomfort and risk erosion.

Avoid:

• • Citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, grapefruit)

• • Vinegar-based dressings

• • Pickles

• • Soda and carbonated drinks

• • Tomatoes and tomato-based dishes

What to do instead: Stick to blander, low-acid meals like eggs, oatmeal, or bananas.

4. Colored Candies and Popsicles

Brightly colored sweets may look harmless, but they’re loaded with dyes that cling to enamel—especially softened enamel after whitening.

Examples to avoid:

• • Red, orange, or purple lollipops

• • Chewy candies with color coatings

• • Gelatin desserts (like red or green Jell-O)

• • Colored gums or mints

Remember: These don’t just stain—they also promote tooth decay.

5. Smoking and Tobacco Products

While not a food, smoking is one of the worst things you can do after teeth whitening—and for your overall oral health.

• • Cigarettes

• • Vapes (especially flavored)

• • Chewing tobacco

These not only stain the teeth again quickly, but they also impair healing and increase risk for gum disease, bad breath, and oral cancer.

If you’ve been thinking about quitting, now is the perfect time.

6. Colored Alcoholic Beverages

Many alcohols are highly acidic and pigmented:

• • Red wine

• • Dark beers (like stouts and porters)

• • Cocktails with colored syrups (blue curaçao, grenadine, etc.)

Not only can they stain, but some cocktails combine alcohol with sugar and acid—making it a triple threat to newly whitened teeth.

7. Highly Processed or Dyed Foods

Processed snacks and fast food items often contain artificial colorings and additives that can discolor your teeth.

Examples:

• • Bright orange cheese-flavored chips

• • Artificially colored instant noodles

• • Fast food sauces (like BBQ, buffalo, or soy-glazed)

Stick to home-cooked, whole foods whenever possible during recovery.

Whitening-safe foods:

• • Plain rice, pasta, and bread

• • Chicken or turkey (without dark sauces)

• • Eggs

• • White cheese

• • Bananas

• • Cauliflower, potatoes, white mushrooms

• • Milk and plain yogurt

• • Plenty of water