When it comes to keeping your smile gleaming and your teeth white, it is important to start by learning which foods, beverages, and habits are causing them to discolor in the first place. From your morning coffee to evening glass of wine, there are a lot of culprits staining your teeth throughout the day that you might not expect.
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the biggest tooth-discoloration culprits you should try to avoid if your goal is a stain-free smile! To learn more about teeth whitening in Glendora, schedule an appointment with Glendora Family Dentistry today.
1) Coffee
Coffee is a well-known and well-documented culprit of tooth discoloration. Caffeine in black coffee can produce dark patches on your teeth and lead to overall tooth discoloration. Additionally, coffee contains tannins, which are acidic polyphenols, which are known to lead to tooth discoloration. In addition, the acidic properties in coffee allow foods consumed after your morning cup of joe to damage your teeth more than they would on their own. If you need your morning cup, don’t worry! Just be sure to rinse with water and brush thoroughly every day.
2) Tea
Like coffee, black teas are well-known for their tendency to discolor teeth. Same as coffee, the tannins and caffeine in black tea can produce dark patches on your teeth and lead to overall tooth discoloration. When possible, opt for a green tea to avoid the stains altogether!
3) Citrus/acidic foods
Acidic foods might be to blame if you have noticed a yellowish tint to your smile lately. Acidic foods, like citrus fruits, though healthy, can erode the enamel on your teeth, making them highly susceptible to future staining.
4) Red wine
If you love red wine and have noticed a greyish tinge to the color of your teeth, unfortunately, those two things are likely related. Red wine contains polyphenols, which cause staining, while the acidity of the wine wears down the enamel on your teeth, making them more susceptible to staining. A double whammy! Be sure to rinse thoroughly after you drink wine to combat staining.
5) Tomato sauce
Tomato-based pasta sauces are a relatively unknown culprit of tooth discoloration, but, if you are concerned about stains, beware of the sauce! Tomatoes are highly acidic, and when combined with their red pigment make a perfect storm for tooth discoloration.
6) Berries
Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and pomegranates are all highly pigmented berries that can cause staining to your teeth. Despite how healthy these berries are, be sure to brush thoroughly after eating!
7) Balsamic vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is yet another acid-and-pigment double whammy. Its acidity can eat away at your enamel while its pigments stain your teeth. Luckily, lettuce and leafy greens create a barrier against the vinegar, so when you’re eating this on a salad, you’re less susceptible to damage.
8) Sweets
Sugars in sweets like candy, cookies, and pastries (also found in unexpected places like potato chips and salad dressings!) can latch onto your teeth and trigger a feeding frenzy by oral bacteria. When bacteria feed off sugars, they release acid onto your teeth, leading to tooth decay and tooth discoloration.
9) Soda
High-sugar drinks are the same as high-sugar foods: they give bacteria a buffet of sugar to feed on and release damaging acids all over your beautiful teeth. Swap the soda for a sugar-free beverage or sparkling water!
Teeth Whitening in Glendora
At Glendora Family Dentistry, keeping your teeth beautiful and healthy is our number one priority. We want you to feel great about your smile. Call us today to set up an appointment to learn more about teeth whitening in Glendora!
