Can I Eat Bacon After Teeth Whitening?

You just got your pearly whites professionally whitened and you’re eager to show off your bright beautiful new smile. But hold up – your dentist likely advised you to avoid certain foods and beverages for at least 48 hours after your whitening treatment. Bacon with its bold colors and acids, may seem like one of the obvious foods to avoid. But is bacon really off limits after teeth whitening? Let’s find out.

Why a “White Diet” Is Recommended After Whitening

After you get your teeth professionally whitened, the structure of your teeth is more vulnerable and prone to re-staining. The whitening process opens up pores in the enamel, and consuming staining foods and drinks can allow color molecules to seep into these pores more easily.

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

So what’s on the naughty list? Some top foods and drinks 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.

Can I Enjoy My Beloved Bacon Post-Whitening?

With its rich red color and salty, tangy flavor, bacon seems like an obvious candidate for the banned list when it comes to post-whitening foods. However, the impact of bacon on freshly whitened teeth 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 isn’t necessarily going to ruin your bright new smile. Here’s why bacon isn’t completely off limits:

• 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, the staining isn’t extreme.

• It’s easy to swish with water while eating to minimize residue. The sodium content can also stimulate saliva production to help rinse your mouth.

• Brushing and flossing afterwards clears away any remaining bits.

• Bacon doesn’t have the same level of acids as citrus, berries, and vinegar that can damage enamel.

• The salty, fatty qualities of bacon make it more satisfying, so you may eat less than other foods.

How to Enjoy Bacon After Whitening

If you decide to indulge in bacon within the first 48 hours after teeth whitening, follow these tips to protect those pearly whites:

• Opt for turkey bacon over pork for a lighter color and flavor.

• Limit yourself to 2-3 pieces max and make it an occasional treat.

• Pair it with non-staining foods like eggs, avocado, white rice or potatoes.

• Swish water around your mouth while eating to rinse away particles.

• Brush and floss carefully after eating to remove any lingering bits from crevices.

• Avoid dunking the bacon in condiments like ketchup or barbecue sauce which can stain.

• Stick to water or milk to drink – pass on juices, wine or coffee.

As long as you take precautions, having a little bacon in the days following your whitening probably won’t sabotage your efforts. But if you experience major tooth sensitivity or notice staining, avoid bacon and other potentially problematic foods until you’ve fully healed.

Healthier, Safer Foods to Eat After Whitening

If you’d rather steer clear of bacon completely after your whitening treatment, you have plenty of delicious options that are lower risk for staining and sensitivity:

• Eggs any style – omelets, scrambled, hard boiled and more

• Plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese

• Avocado toast on white bread

• Oatmeal topped with bananas or peaches

• Grilled chicken or baked white fish

• Soups like potato, tomato-free chicken noodle or vegetable

• Salads with vinaigrette dressing instead of creamy

• Hummus and fresh vegetables

• Rice cakes or white tortilla chips with guacamole

• Peanut butter (or sunbutter) and banana toast

• Plain baked potatoes or potato pancakes

Sticking with a white diet for at least 48 hours post-whitening is ideal. But an occasional slice of bacon or two in moderation is unlikely to ruin all your efforts if you take