White teeth and a bright smile convey youth, health and confidence. Unfortunately, too many adults think that if they simply find the perfect whitening toothpaste or commit to better brushing and flossing, they can remedy their teeth staining problems. While all of these oral hygiene habits are very helpful in whitening your teeth, patients must first look to one of the main culprits of teeth stains — their diet. With a better understanding of common stain-causing foods, you can help stop your pearly whites from turning dingy.
Common Stain-Causing Foods and Drinks
There are a few factors that contribute to tooth stains, including strong pigments in foods or drinks; acidity that softens enamel and encourages stains to settle; and tannins that allow stains to absorb more easily into a tooth’s porous surface.
Many foods and drinks have the potential to stain teeth over time, some more than others. Common culprits include the following:
- Coffee and tea. Daily coffee and tea drinkers often notice a yellowing to their smile. Because the tooth’s enamel is porous, both of these acidic, dark-colored beverages can cause stains.
- Red wine. Red wine’s dark color is an obvious cause of stains, but it turns out that white wine can discolor your teeth, as well, due to its high acidity.
- Soda pop. Both dark and light-colored soda are very acidic, which wears away at the enamel, making teeth more vulnerable to stains.
- Tomato sauces. Sauces that are tomato-based are both acidic and rich in color, which can easily lead to teeth staining.
- Berries. Berries are very nutritious, but when it comes to your teeth, dark-colored berries such as blueberries and raspberries have juices that cause discoloration of the teeth.
- Candy. Not only is candy full of sugar that causes tooth decay, but most candies contain artificial coloring. As a general rule, if the candy changes the color of your tongue, then your teeth are susceptible to stains.
How to Get Rid of Stains on Your Teeth
The best way to prevent discoloration is to eliminate foods and drinks that stain your teeth. Since you cannot realistically remove every food from your diet, here are a few ways to prevent stains on teeth and keep your smile bright.
- Use a straw to drink beverages.
- Drink plenty of water during and after meals to cleanse your mouth and wash away food particles.
- Brush your teeth after every meal.
- Use a whitening toothpaste to help reduce stains.
- Maintain regular visits to your dentist for professional cleanings.
- Avoid stain-causing drinks and food, if possible. If you do eat or drink them, do so in moderation and brush well when you are finished.
Got Stains? Contact Our Office Today!
In addition to practicing good oral hygiene habits and being mindful of your diet choices, professional care from your dentist can dramatically whiten your teeth. Whether you have mild or severe stains, contact Natomas Crossing Dental Care today about your options for a brighter smile. We offer traditional in-office professional whitening as well as the Zoom! whitening method for immediate results. We look forward to helping you unveil your brightest smile!