You may desire to learn ways to keep your smile healthy and bright if you have recently undergone smile makeover procedures such as getting veneers, dental bonding, or teeth whitening. To keep your teeth healthy and your smile looking great for a long time, there are certain foods and drinks to reduce your consumption of or to avoid entirely.
Foods to avoid
The following are foods that patients are advised to stop consuming after getting a smile makeover.
Hard foods
These include popcorn kernels, almonds, and any food that might require considerable force to break or chew. This does not mean patients have to give up hard foods completely. After getting veneers or dental bonding, though, the point is to avoid eating them with the front teeth. Doing this could cause chipping and premature deterioration to the dental prosthesis over time. To safeguard the teeth and dental work, use the back molars when chewing hard foods.
Gummy or sticky candies
Almost all candy is detrimental for the teeth, but the worst are gummy, sticky, and hard candies. Gummy and sticky candies attach to the teeth and tug on your veneers or bonded teeth, causing them to loosen prematurely.
Biting hard candies instead of sucking on them might break or damage the dental work or natural teeth. Sucking on them for an extended period is also harmful because they contain sugar, which can contribute to cavities.
Sugary and acidic beverages
After teeth whitening, patients should limit their intake of dark-colored beverages like tea, coffee, and cola because these can discolor the smile. For those who do not want to give up morning coffee or an evening glass of wine, they can try drinking these through a straw. This limits how much of the drink touches the teeth and reduces the likelihood of discoloration.
Orange juice and other fruit juices are sugary and acidic and can cause enamel deterioration if consumed regularly. They can also contribute to decay and discoloration. It is advisable to brush the teeth soon after drinking these beverages.
Raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries
These berries have health benefits and should be consumed in moderation. However, they do contain staining substances (tannins), so eating them often could discolor the teeth. To avoid this, one could wash out their mouth with water or brush their teeth after eating berries.
Oral care is important
When it comes to maintaining a smile makeover, a good oral hygiene routine is essential. To avoid injury or discoloration of treatment areas, patients should be cautious and ensure that they follow their dentist’s instructions. Brushing and flossing twice a day is recommended to keep the smile healthy and attractive.
The bottom line
Avoiding or decreasing your intake of these foods and beverages will be good for your smile. After a smile makeover, your new smile will look aesthetically pleasing for years to come, and you will have peace of mind knowing that you are also keeping your teeth healthy.
Request an appointment or call My Saratoga Dentist PLLC at 518-675-3094 for an appointment in our Saratoga Springs office.
Recent Posts
Considering a smile makeover and not sure where to start? Read on to learn more. Many people avoid smiling due to dental imperfections. A smile makeover may be the answer. A dentist can improve your smile with cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening, bonding, and veneers. The right professional for the treatment is the key to…
A smile makeover can be achieved with the help of one procedure or several. What a dentist recommends depends on the attributes of your smile you would like to change. To give you a better picture of some treatments that can transform a smile, take a look at these five popular treatments.Slight to moderate misalignments…
A smile makeover involves a treatment plan that improves a smile's appearance. It can involve a wide range of procedures, from dental and gum procedures to teeth straightening treatments. If you are considering this process to enhance your smile, here are some key things to know that will help you set yourself up for a…