Can I Drink Alcohol After Teeth Whitening?: 10 Tips to Safely Indulge!

Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental treatment that can boost your smile by making your teeth whiter and brighter. But keeping those pearly whites looking great afterward involves being careful about what you eat and drink.

A common question people have is whether it's okay to drink alcohol after teeth whitening. It's important to know how to get the most out of your whitening results, especially after investing time and money into it. Here’s what you should keep in mind.

How does alcohol affect the results of teeth whitening?

Immediately after teeth whitening, your teeth become more sensitive to external factors. This happens because the whitening agents used in the procedure open up the pores in the enamel, which is the outermost protective layer of the tooth. This increased porosity makes the teeth more likely to absorb substances they come into contact with, including those that can cause staining.

Alcoholic beverages can affect your newly whitened teeth in various ways, such as:

1) Potential for staining

Dark drinks like red wine and beer can stain teeth because they contain coloured pigments. After teeth whitening, your enamel becomes temporarily more porous. This means your teeth are more likely to absorb these pigments, leading to stains that can gradually dim your smile's brightness over time.

2) Increase in acidity

Alcoholic drinks such as wine and certain cocktails are acidic. Acids can weaken the enamel, making it even easier for stains to penetrate.

3) Dehydration

Alcohol is known for dehydrating the body, including your mouth. This leads to reduced saliva production, resulting in less saliva to wash away coloured pigments and food particles and to neutralise acids. This can potentially increase the risk of stains and dental issues over time.

4) Increased sensitivity

After teeth whitening, many people experience heightened tooth sensitivity, especially to extreme temperatures and acidic substances. Alcohol, particularly acidic varieties like wine and certain cocktails, can intensify this sensitivity, potentially causing discomfort.

These effects are all connected and can add up, which might not be great for your teeth if you drink alcohol right after whitening. Understanding how these things work together can help you decide if and when to have alcohol after teeth whitening.

Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are often the active ingredients in professional whitening treatments as well as in at-home whitening kits. During a whitening procedure, these agents penetrate the enamel and oxidise the molecules responsible for discolouration, making the teeth appear whiter. It's therefore important to follow specific aftercare instructions, especially within the first 48 hours following a whitening procedure.

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Which types of alcoholic beverages are less likely to stain my teeth? 

Red wine

Known for its high acidity and deep colour, red wine is particularly damaging to teeth after whitening. The acidic nature of red wine can weaken tooth enamel, making it more susceptible to staining. Its dark pigments easily adhere to porous enamel, leading to noticeable discoloration over time.

White wine

While lighter in colour than red wine, white wine still contains acids that can increase teeth's susceptibility to stains from other food and drink sources.

Beer

Dark beers, like stouts and porters, contain dark pigments that can potentially stain teeth.

Clear spirits

Clear spirits such as vodka and gin are less likely to stain teeth because they lack the intense colour pigments found in darker beverages. However, they dehydrate the body and reduce saliva production, potentially increasing the risk of staining and other dental issues.

Coloured cocktails

They often contain coloured syrups, juices and fruit garnishes that can stain teeth.
Back in 2014, a study highlighted the importance of avoiding teeth-staining drinks like coffee, tea, cola and red wine immediately after undergoing teeth whitening treatments. These beverages contain chromogens (coloured pigments) and acids that can compromise the results of teeth whitening and lead to visible staining over time.

Here are 10 tips to drink responsibly after teeth whitening!

If you choose to drink alcohol after teeth whitening, remember to follow these tips.

1. Give it time: It's a good idea to wait at least 48-72 hours after your whitening treatment before having alcohol. This waiting period allows your teeth to rehydrate and close their pores, reducing susceptibility to staining and helping maintain the best whitening results.

2. Opt for clear beverages: If you absolutely have to drink, stick to drinks like white wine, vodka or gin instead of darker ones, as they're less likely to stain your teeth.

3. Drink through a straw: Using a straw can help minimise direct contact between your drink and your teeth, which reduces the risk of staining.

4. Rinse mouth with water: After drinking alcohol, rinse your mouth with room temperature water to wash away any lingering sugars and acids. It also helps keep your saliva flowing, which is good for your teeth.

5. Keep up with brushing and flossing: Regularly brushing and flossing are key to keeping your teeth clean and preventing stains.

6. Watch out for other stain-causing stuff: Besides alcohol, try to avoid coffee and tea, especially right after whitening, to keep your teeth from staining.

7. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist and help your teeth stay healthy.
8. Say no to smoking: Smoking is a big reason why teeth get stained, especially when combined with consuming alcohol. Quitting smoking not only helps your teeth but also boosts your overall health.
   
9. Schedule touch-up sessions: Teeth whitening results are not permanent. Check in with your dentist for touch-ups to keep your smile looking its best.
10. Go easy on the drinks: Moderation is key. Limiting how much and how often you drink can help protect your teeth and keep that bright smile.

It's always advisable to consult with a dentist regarding any concerns you may have about teeth whitening. Have questions? Send us a message to find out more!

References

1. Karadas M, Seven N. The effect of different drinks on tooth color after home bleaching. Eur J Dent. 2014 Apr;8(2):249-253. doi: 10.4103/1305-7456.130622. PMID: 24966778; PMCID: PMC4054058.
2. Zhao X, Zanetti F, Wang L, Pan J, Majeed S, Malmstrom H, Peitsch MC, Hoeng J, Ren Y. Effects of different discoloration challenges and whitening treatments on dental hard tissues and composite resin restorations. J Dent. 2019 Oct;89:103182. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2019.103182. Epub 2019 Aug 17. PMID: 31430508.