Your teeth are not impermeable. If you frequently drink beverages or eat foods that stain teeth, and you don’t maintain a good oral hygiene routine, your teeth will likely become darker, duller, and more yellow over time. To brighten and protect your smile, take note of the following drinks and foods that stain teeth. By reducing your intake of these items (or brushing and flossing immediately afterward), you can preserve your teeth’s color and prevent serious staining.
Foods That Stain Teeth
Curry
A flavorful spice often found in Indian dishes, curry can also cause tooth discoloration. Curry is deeply pigmented, and its pigment can gradually cause your teeth to turn yellow. Because it causes stains, you may want to keep its use in your diet to a minimum. If you can’t give up curry, try mixing in fresh vegetables because they can help to prevent staining by forming a protective film over your enamel. You might try eating cauliflower, broccoli, or apples when you are having a curry-flavored dish.
Balsamic Vinegar
While very healthy, balsamic vinegar’s dark color can stain your teeth, and the vinegar sticks to your enamel. This means that when you use balsamic vinegar to make your salad dressing or an oil-and-vinegar dipping sauce for bread, make sure that you brush your teeth immediately afterward to remove the vinegar’s remnants from the surface of your teeth. In addition, including crunchy lettuce in your salad will help to sweep away some of the vinegar from your teeth while you are eating.
Berries
Full of antioxidants, berries offer multiple health benefits. Unfortunately, some berries may also stain your teeth. The rich, vibrant pigment in blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, and blueberries can leave stains behind on your teeth whether you eat them raw, in a juice, or in a jam or jelly. You can combat the staining by not allowing the berries to remain in your mouth for very long and drinking plenty of water along with them. After you have finished eating your berries, try snacking on a piece of hard cheese or drinking a glass of milk; they can strengthen your teeth and neutralize the acids in your mouth.
Drinks
Many different types of beverages can stain your teeth. The biggest culprits include tea, coffee, red wine, sports drinks, juices, and sodas. Because of their acidity, these drinks can weaken your enamel and allow staining to occur. Even white wine can erode your enamel and stain your teeth over time. Likewise, sodas of all colors can stain your teeth due to the acids they contain. If you limit how much of these beverages you consume, you can better protect your teeth.
Red Sauces
Red, tomato-based sauces like marinara sometimes stain teeth. These darkly colored sauces are acidic and cling to your teeth, and the acids can erode your enamel over time. When you plan to have a red sauce with your meal, try eating a salad before you do so to protect your teeth. After eating, make certain that you brush your teeth to remove any sauce left behind.
If you love eating spaghetti, drinking merlot, and finishing off your meal with fresh berries, don’t worry! You don’t need to eliminate your favorite teeth-staining foods and drinks from your diet. Continue enjoying foods that stain teeth, but take a few precautions to protect your teeth. First, focus on good oral hygiene. Brush and floss after every meal if possible, and visit your dentist regularly. Next, drink water after consuming staining foods and beverages to rinse away the staining agents. You can also use a straw to to prevent staining beverages from touching your teeth. Finally, talk to your dentist about teeth whitening options and how to prevent stained teeth.
Looking for an experienced, reliable, and friendly dentist to protect and whiten your teeth? If you live in or near Springfield, Missouri, contact Wilkinson Dental. Dr. Wilkinson and his team will give you the personalized treatment you deserve using state-of-the-art technology. For exceptional and comprehensive dental care, schedule your first appointment today by calling 417-708-0556 or requesting an appointment online. We look forward to hearing from you!