What to Eat After Whitening Your Teeth

Experts advise individuals to get cosmetic dentistry treatments such as teeth bleaching in a professional dental office staffed with a dentist and to watch what is eaten after the treatment to minimize discomfort and the potential for tooth staining.

Here are some tips from 1800Dentist

Diet Soda Drinkers, Beware!

Drinking carbonated soft drinks regularly can contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel surfaces. Soft drinks, which contain sticky sugars that break down into acids, adhere easily to tooth surfaces. These acids can soften the teeth and promote formation of plaque, which erodes the enamel. Enamel breakdown leads to cavities. If erosion spreads beneath the enamel into the dentin, pain and sensitivity may result. This is usually a precursor to nerve infection, which can require root canal surgery.  

Soda Attack: Soft Drinks, Especially Non-colas and Iced Tea, Hurt Hard Enamel

As summer temperatures rise so will people's thirst. Unfortunately, many people will grab a pop or iced tea instead of water. It isn't just cola's empty calories – about 150 per 12-ounce can – you should worry about. Many of these beverages harm enamel, the protective shell around teeth.

A pilot study of the effects some of these beverages had on enamel, appearing in the July/August 2004 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical, peer-reviewed journal, found that over time, exposing dental enamel to carbonated beverages and non-carbonated canned iced tea weakens and permanently destroys enamel.

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When Should My Child First See a Dentist?

Your child's first visit to the dentist should happen before his or her first birthday. The general rule is six months after eruption of the first tooth. Taking your child to the dentist at a young age is the best way to prevent problems such as tooth decay, and can help parents learn how to clean their child's teeth and identify his or her fluoride needs. After all, decay can occur as soon as teeth appear. Bringing your child to the dentist early often leads to a lifetime of good oral care habits and acclimates your child to the dental office, thereby reducing anxiety and fear, which will make for plenty of stress-free visits in the future.
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