White Color Diet – Dietary Guidelines and Indications for Use

1. Principles of the white diet

2. When should one adhere to a white diet

3. How long should one adhere to a white diet during the teeth whitening process

4. Is a white diet beneficial for health

5. Suggestions

6. Efficacy of the white diet

7. Concise Overview

1. Principles of the white diet

As the name suggests, the white diet primarily relies on products of a light hue and excludes those that are vividly colored. Its goal is to eliminate the exposure to natural and artificial food dyes. This entails avoiding a large group of products, including colorful beverages (coffee, tea, juices and syrups, and alcohol, especially red wine), certain fruit and vegetable constituents, chocolate, and spices (turmeric, curry, cinnamon, and red pepper). The diet-compliant products and examples of discouraged ingredients across various food categories are presented in the table below. This is an original work based on sources (E. Chudzyńska, dietetycy.org.pl; M. Rojek, wylecz.to). It is recommended to prepare meals mainly using the following methods: boiling, baking, and steaming without the addition of fat.

2. When should one adhere to a white diet

A white diet is recommended during the teeth whitening process, which is a relatively new method (it was first described in the 1980s) but very popular, leading to its development over the next few decades. Currently, teeth whitening can be carried out under the supervision of a doctor or hygienist in a dental office, or independently by the patient using preparations containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These substances have a chemical effect on the teeth by penetrating the tooth tissue and oxidizing the pigments. In this way, teeth become more susceptible to staining from the environment, which is why their consumption is recommended to be limited through the use of a white diet. In addition to whitening preparations, whitening agents are also available, which work mechanically, allowing for the removal of deposits and pigments from the surface of the teeth.

3. How long should one adhere to a white diet during the teeth whitening process

A white diet is a special nutritional method that is recommended for temporary use during the teeth whitening process, the duration of which depends on the decision of the dentist or hygienist performing the procedure. Many factors have a significant impact on this, including the method of whitening, the preparation used, or the duration of therapy (whitening at home usually takes longer). However, it is generally recommended to adhere to the principles of the white diet for a period of 1-2 weeks in order to achieve optimal results.

4. Is a white diet beneficial for health

From a nutritional perspective, the benefits of a white diet include the elimination of processed, sweetened, and red meat foods. These are ingredients that are consumed in excess and are not conducive to health and should be limited. The advantages of this diet also include the choice of heat treatment methods to preserve the nutrient value of the meal and the refusal of deep-fat frying. However, numerous exclusions in the diet mean that it can be monotonous and unpleasant to use. Furthermore, the elimination of whole-grain products, and many fruits and vegetables can lead to a deficiency in fiber, and the refusal of foods in various colors reduces the amount of health-promoting polyphenols delivered from the diet. However, it should be remembered that this way of eating is intended only for short-term use and should not have a negative impact on health and well-being.

5. Suggestions

Color of the products is one of the factors that contribute to achieving and maintaining the effect of tooth whitening, but other daily activities also have an impact on this. Smoking cigarettes can lead to the formation of stains, so it is worth considering limiting or even quitting this habit before starting the whitening process. During the preparation of meals, it is important to consider their temperature, as preparations for tooth whitening often cause tooth sensitivity, which can lead to painful contact and unpleasant sensations when consuming extremely hot or cold foods. It is also important to pay attention to products rich in calcium, such as natural dairy products, as calcium plays a crucial role in the process of bone and tooth mineralization. During tooth whitening, it is also important to choose appropriate oral hygiene products - toothpaste should be selected in a light color, and the rinse should be colorless. Tooth whitening is not a permanent process, so it is completely natural that the color of the enamel will change over time. However, measures can be taken to slow down this process, such as drinking beverages with a dark color, such as coffee, tea, red wine, cola-type drinks, and juices through a straw, to limit their contact with the teeth.

6. Efficacy of the white diet

The recommendation of a white diet during and shortly after tooth whitening is a common practice in the dental office. However, research is underway to confirm the effectiveness of such a procedure. In a review published in 2015, the results of five studies were collected to determine the need for a white diet during tooth whitening. The study analyzed the impact of consuming coffee, tea, and red wine, as well as (in four of the five studies) consuming intensely colored fruits (e.g., blackberries and blueberries) on tooth whitening. It was found that consuming wine and intensely colored fruits during tooth whitening did not interfere with achieving the desired effect, while the impact of coffee and tea was statistically insignificant. However, the authors noted that the risk of staining on bleached teeth was higher, which indicates the greater importance of a white diet in the period after completing treatment (B. Matis et al. 2015). However, the study group was relatively small, so further research is required to definitively determine the impact of diet on the effect of tooth whitening.

7. Concise Overview

The white diet centers around avoiding intensely colored products and relying on light and white products. It is employed during tooth whitening (either independently or under the supervision of a dentist/prophylaxis). The question of how the type of food consumed influences the efficacy of therapy and the propensity for recurring stains necessitates further investigation. However, adhering to the recommended diet (short-term, for a few weeks) appears to have no detrimental health implications. Hence, it may be a worthy consideration as a method to reinforce the whitening effect.