Can I Have Coffee or Wine after Teeth Whitening?
The teeth are exposed to many foods and beverages that are deeply pigmented. Over time, exposure can lead to surface stains or general discoloration. The most effective way to treat extrinsic dental stains like these is with professional teeth whitening. Teeth whitening brightens the teeth and enhances tooth color by up to eight shades.
To prolong treatment results, our Montreal, QC, patients need to avoid beverages like coffee and wine after teeth whitening, at least for a little while. Dr. Roni Berbari prepares patients for how long they’ll need to stay away from these beverages, and what they can do to maintain tooth color once they reintroduce them.
Why Can’t I Drink Coffee or Wine After Teeth Whitening?
There are numerous foods and beverages that can stain the teeth, but coffee and wine are two of the most common. Both of these beverages are deeply colored and highly acidic. The acids in these beverages can wear down tooth enamel, which allows pigmentation to make its way into the tooth’s pores, ultimately causing stains and discoloration.
Immediately following teeth whitening treatment, the teeth are even more vulnerable to dental stains and discoloration. This is because the whitening agents that are used during treatment open up the pores in the tooth enamel. By opening up the pores, it is easier to lift away stains. Unfortunately, this also makes it easier for beverages like wine and coffee to get into the tooth enamel and leave signs of discoloration.
How Long Should I Avoid Coffee and Wine?
Many people drink coffee and wine on a regular basis, so it is not ideal to hear that these beverages are off-limits after teeth whitening treatment. Fortunately, patients are not expected to avoid these beverages for good.
At the very least, Dr. Berbari recommends that patients avoid coffee, wine, and other deeply pigmented foods and beverages for at least 24 hours after whitening treatment. This will give the teeth time to recover from the bleaching process and allow the pores to shrink back down to their normal size.
Ideally, patients should try to avoid these beverages for even longer. If patients can stay away from coffee and wine for at least a week or two, they will have a greater chance of preserving their new tooth color and avoiding the formation of new dental stains.
Maintaining Tooth Color
Once our Montreal patients begin drinking coffee and wine again after teeth whitening treatment, they will need to take certain precautions to protect tooth color:
- Brush the teeth at least twice a day
- Rinse the mouth with water after drinking coffee or wine if brushing is not possible
- Schedule routine dental cleanings and exams at least twice a year
- Follow-up with any recommended restorative dentistry treatments, to keep tooth enamel strong
- Consider the use of a whitening toothpaste
- Schedule additional teeth whitening treatments, as needed
Contact Us
If you are interested in improving your tooth color and reducing surface stains, you may be an ideal candidate for professional teeth whitening. To learn more about the teeth whitening services offered at Montreal Smiles, send us a message at your earliest convenience, or call (514) 733-3933 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Roni Berbari.