Want to know what food and drinks stain your teeth?
Foods and beverages can discolor and stain your teeth. We also reveal how you can improve the color of your smile at Haight Family Dentistry, your cosmetic dentist in Plano and Melissa, TX!
Coffee and tea
Coffee and tea contain plant compounds called tannins that can stick to teeth and gradually cause stains. Dark coffees and black tea have the most staining potential of all the different types of these hot beverages. Plus, if you add sugar, honey, syrup, or creamer, you increase your risk of tooth decay and cavities.
Can’t survive without your daily dose of caffeine? Try rinsing your mouth with water afterward, chewing sugar-free gum, and limiting sugary additives.
Wine
If a food or drink can stain a tablecloth, it can stain your teeth. Red wine contains substances called chromogens, as well as tannins. These will bind to your teeth, causing staining of the teeth. Both red and white wine are acidic which can thin the enamel on your teeth, exposing dentin and increases your risk of tooth decay and cavities. If possible, limit your consumption of wine and rinse your mouth with water afterward.
Soda and fruit juice
Sugar-filled drinks, such as soda and juice, increase your risk of tooth decay. The acids and dyes in these drinks can lead to serious tooth stains and discolor enamel. Whenever possible, drink water instead of soda and eat whole fruit instead of drinking fruit juice. When you drink fruit juice, make sure it is 100% real fruit juice with no added sugar reduce what food and drinks stain your teeth.
Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits contain citric acid, which gradually damages your enamel. Weakened enamel makes you more susceptible to tooth decay, cavities, sensitive teeth, and discoloration. When you do drink a citrus fruit juice or glass of orange juice, pair it with a glass of water to help rinse your teeth.
Sauces
Sauces may be tasty, but deeply colored sauces such as soy, tomato, and curry cause stains. Switch to light-colored or creamy sauces, and brush and rinse soon after eating.
Candy and sweets
If you eat sweets such as hard candy, chewing gum, or popsicles that make your tongue change colors, the food and drinks stain your teeth.
How to prevent stains
A balanced diet can still cause stains on your teeth because many healthy foods contain pigment and acid. To keep your smile looking and feeling healthy, be sure to do the following:
- Use a Straw: Sip stain-causing drinks like sodas, juices, and iced tea through a straw. This should keep the liquid away from your teeth.
- Swallow Swiftly: Don’t let stain-causing foods and drinks linger in your mouth. Swallow them.
- Rinse and Brush After Eating: Rinse your mouth with water after you eat or drink something that can stain. Wait 30 minutes to an hour before brushing after eating something with acid, any sooner and you could hurt the enamel on your teeth.
- Brush your teeth twice a day: The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes each time. Brushing your teeth helps remove food and plaque.
- Floss every day: Regular flossing can protect teeth from cavities and decay by removing food particles before bacteria and acid have a chance to attack. Flossing also reduces your risk for developing gum disease by removing potential irritants.
- Avoid tobacco products: Smokeless tobacco can irritate your gum tissue, causing it to recede or pull away from your teeth. Once the gum tissue recedes, your teeth roots become exposed, creating an increased risk of tooth decay.
- Visit us for routine cleanings and checkups: To maintain proper oral health, it’s crucial that you schedule regular 6-month cleanings and checkups with your local dentist. The teeth whitening system that we use delivers our patients whitening results that are hard to beat.
If you eat foods and drinks that stain your teeth and have a special event or a holiday is approaching and you want to make sure you smile with confidence, call our Plano dental office today.
If you’re in the Plano, Frisco, Allen, McKinney, Melissa or in the North DFW area and are interested in teeth whitening, visit one of our conveniently located dental offices in Plano, TX or Melissa, TX. Services range from dental crowns to veneers and whitening procedures. For further information, questions, or to schedule an appointment, contact the office at 972-527-5555.