Besides proper oral hygiene, you need to watch what you eat and drink to maintain your pearly whites. Certain foods and beverages can stain your teeth. If you’re not careful about what you put inside your mouth, you won’t be able to enjoy your pearly white smile for longer.
A teeth whitening expert in Fort Lauderdale lists down ten common culprits that stain your teeth and impact your supposed-to-be bright smile.
1. Carbonated Drinks
Soda isn’t right for you on many different levels. It doesn’t only bathe your teeth in acid and artificial sugar but also contains dark colors that cause teeth stains. While you can reduce the staining by drinking light-colored soda, you still won’t be able to avoid the acid or sugar.
It’s best to steer clear of soda in general. Even the chemicals in soda that give it flavor can also eat away at your teeth enamel. When you eat fast food or order food online, do yourself a favor and do away with soda – choose water instead.
2. Coffee
Do you always start your day with a cup of coffee? Black coffee, in particular, can stain your teeth. Teeth are porous which means they will naturally absorb the liquid you put into your mouth. Even if you only had one to two cups each day, the naturally dark color of coffee will still cause teeth discoloration.
If you’re like most people who can’t do without coffee, you can prevent teeth staining by adding a bit of milk. This will lighten the color of your coffee and, at the same time, provide you with much-needed calcium.
3. Tea
Switching from coffee to tea still won’t prevent teeth staining. Tea is full of tannins, and depending on the variety, it will still stain your teeth. The darker your tea is, the more likely it will cause teeth discoloration.
If you can’t let go of your tea habit, choose white or green tea over black ones. Light-colored teas are less likely to stain your teeth compared to dark-colored ones.
4. Sports Drink
As much as possible, during your workout sessions, avoid sports drinks. Drinking water instead is a much better and safer choice for your teeth. Sports or energy drinks can erode tooth enamel which then sets the stage for stains.
5. Wine
Many studies show that wine is good for the heart. However, your pearly whites may not benefit from too many glasses of wine as it can cause tooth discoloration. Red wine, with its acidic properties and dark color, will discolor teeth. Even white wine can still cause teeth discoloration with its highly acidic property.
6. Popsicles
If it can stain your lips or tongue, then it’s going to discolor your teeth. It is quite delightful to enjoy a popsicle or two on hot days. Unfortunately, you will also be staining your teeth in the process.
Good thing, though, there are plenty of popsicle varieties. Go for something with light coloring as it’s less likely to stain. However, since a popsicle contains acid and sugar, it can still wear away your teeth.
7. Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is a healthy alternative to ranch dressing and adds a depth of flavor to various dishes. But with its dark color and acidic property, it has the potential to stain teeth. While eating a salad can give you the vitamins you need to prevent staining, using a lighter-colored vinegar instead of balsamic could save your pearly whites from teeth discoloration.
8. Soy Sauce
You may not be thrilled to know that too much soy sauce can also leave your teeth stained. Because soy sauce is highly concentrated in terms of flavorings and high in sodium as well, consider using it sparingly to prevent staining and the health consequences associated with a high-sodium diet such as hypertension.
9. Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce is a kitchen staple. However, no matter what brand or variety you prefer, anything tomato-based will stain your teeth.
The dark and vibrant color of tomatoes signifies that it’s high in antioxidants and vitamins. You don’t need to skip the sauce, what you have to do is eat a salad beforehand. Greens like broccoli and lettuce create a thin film on your teeth which can help prevent teeth staining.
10. Beets
If you have ever encountered a beet, you already know how easily it stains everything it touches. Like blueberries and tomatoes, beets have essential nutrients that are good for health. Unfortunately, its staining power is more potent than other fruits.
Rinsing your mouth after eating beets will not be enough. To prevent stains, brush your teeth within an hour of eating them.
To eat or not to eat?
When it comes to dental health, everything in moderation is advisable. Not all teeth-staining food and drinks listed above are bad for you. They may cause teeth discoloration, but they also offer other benefits to your body.
The next time you eat or drink, think about how your choice can affect your teeth. Then, moderate your intake to both get the benefits and prevent teeth staining.
