You can eat after using whitening strips, but you should wait a bit and choose foods carefully to protect your results.
When you can eat
- Most dental and product guidelines suggest waiting at least 30–60 minutes before eating or drinking anything other than water so the gel can finish working and your enamel can start to re-harden.
- Some dentists recommend up to 2–3 hours of waiting after strips, especially if your teeth feel sensitive.
Foods and drinks to avoid
For the first 24–48 hours, your teeth are more porous and can stain more easily. Try to avoid:
- Dark or strongly colored items: coffee, tea, red wine, cola, berries, tomato sauce, soy sauce, curry, dark chocolate.
- Very acidic or very hot/cold foods and drinks if you feel sensitivity, such as citrus juices, soda, vinegar-heavy foods, and very hot soup.
Safer things to eat
During the first day or two, a “white diet” is usually recommended. Examples:
- Proteins: plain chicken or turkey, white fish, egg whites, tofu.
- Carbs and sides: white rice, plain pasta with white/cream sauce, white bread, peeled potatoes, cauliflower.
- Other: plain or vanilla yogurt, white cheeses, bananas, peeled apples or pears, water or milk for drinks.
If your teeth feel very sensitive, start with soft, bland foods (yogurt, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, rice) and avoid extremes of temperature. If you have ongoing pain or strong sensitivity, contact a dentist.
