What can you eat after teeth whitening? The “white diet” and sensitivity
For the first 24–48 hours after teeth whitening, teeth are more prone to picking up colour from food and drink, so a “white diet” of light-coloured foods is recommended during that time. Water, milk, yoghurt, white cheese, chicken, fish, rice and pasta are fine; tea, coffee, cola, red wine, tomato-based and dark sauces, dark fruit and smoking are best avoided. Some mild sensitivity can occur in this period too; avoiding very hot and very cold things makes it easier. Sensitivity usually settles within a few days.
Why do teeth stain more easily after whitening?
As whitening gel breaks down the colour molecules inside the tooth, it leaves the enamel temporarily a little more porous and dehydrated. Saliva restores the balance within a few days. In those first days, pigments in dark food and drink can work their way into the tooth more easily, and some of the newly gained shade can be lost.
What to eat and avoid in the first 48 hours
| OK to eat (white diet) | Best avoided |
|---|---|
| Water, sparkling water, milk | Tea, coffee, cola, energy drinks |
| Yoghurt, white cheese | Red wine, cherry and pomegranate juice |
| Chicken, turkey, white fish | Tomato purée and sauce, soy sauce, ketchup |
| Rice, pasta (plain or with a white sauce), potatoes | Curry, turmeric and dark spices |
| Boiled cauliflower, peeled apples and pears, bananas | Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, beetroot |
| White bread, oats | Chocolate, dark desserts, coloured sweets |
| Cigarettes, shisha and other tobacco |
When can you drink tea and coffee again?
You can go back to tea and coffee after the first 48 hours. To make the result last longer:
- Drink dark drinks through a straw where you can.
- Rinse your mouth with water afterwards.
- Have them at set times rather than sipping all day.
- Stopping or cutting down on smoking makes the biggest difference. See what smoking does to teeth and gums.
We explain why teeth pick up colour again over time in why teeth go yellow.
Sensitivity after whitening
Some people have short-lived, twinging sensitivity after whitening. It mostly settles on its own within a few days.
- Avoid very hot and very cold food and drink for a few days.
- You can use a desensitising toothpaste (such as one containing potassium nitrate).
- With home whitening, if sensitivity increases, take a day or two off the gel and ask your dentist.
- If sensitivity lasts more than a week or is marked in one tooth, have it checked.
You can read about other causes of sensitivity in sensitivity to hot and cold.
The white diet with home whitening
Home whitening with custom trays usually runs for two to three weeks. During that time, following the same rules for a few hours after each session, cutting down on dark drinks and avoiding smoking makes a clear difference to the result. We compare in-clinic and home whitening in teeth whitening: in the clinic or at home.
Making the result last
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and use whitening toothpastes in moderation. See whitening toothpaste.
- Have a scale and polish every six months.
- Don't try DIY methods such as lemon or baking soda. See whitening teeth at home.
- If needed, a short top-up treatment can be done at intervals your dentist suggests.
Teeth whitening in Beylikdüzü
After whitening at Dent32, we give you written guidance on what to watch for in the first days. You can read about the process in teeth whitening in Beylikdüzü.
Dent32 is at Barış Mah., Ginza Lavinya, E-5 Yanyolu No:30 D:179, 34520 Beylikdüzü, Istanbul and is open seven days a week. To book, call or WhatsApp +90 555 011 33 68, or use our contact page. At the examination we share the findings, the options and the approximate cost in writing; you are under no obligation to start treatment afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I follow the white diet after whitening?
Usually for the first 24–48 hours, when teeth are more prone to picking up colour from food and drink.
When can I drink coffee after whitening?
After the first 48 hours. Using a straw and rinsing with water afterwards helps keep the result.
Can I smoke after teeth whitening?
Not in the first 48 hours; smoking is one of the quickest ways to undo the result of whitening.
My teeth are sensitive after whitening. Is that normal?
Short-lived sensitivity is common and usually settles within a few days. Avoid very hot and cold things, and have it checked if it lasts more than a week.
Can I have milk and yoghurt after whitening?
Yes. Light-coloured foods such as milk, yoghurt and white cheese are fine on the white diet.
