No one wants to go through life with a less-than-gleaming smile. Yet, that can be a problem for many who understand that the things we love to eat or do can contribute to the staining of our teeth. And, if that does not sound like a fun reality, then it’s time to look at what all these common foods and habits are that can stain your teeth and assess the best ways to prevent it.
This list can vary from person to person, but most likely, if you consume a lot of any of the items mentioned below, then you already know why your teeth may be less than white. So, getting a better understanding of the foods and beverages that can contribute to tooth staining, as well as the best preventive practices, can be very helpful.
Foods and Beverages That Can Stain Teeth
Coffee: This may be an unfortunate reality for many, but coffee can indeed lead to the staining of the teeth. This is because the natural pigments of the coffee can bind to the enamel of the teeth, leading to a yellowish hue.
Tea: Similar to coffee, tea offers tannins that can stick to the tooth enamel. Most of the staining comes from black tea, but other flavoured teas can also cause just as much of the same issue.
Soft drinks: Both colas and energy drinks can eat away at our teeth and yellow them. The acidic nature of these drinks can weaken our enamel and, in the long term, leave the teeth open to staining on a more regular basis.
Red wine: This is the most notorious of tooth staining agents since it contains a colour that gets its depth from anthocyanins. These molecules can bind to the enamel of the teeth really well and lead to the noticeable staining of the teeth.
Berries: Strawberries, blackberries, and some other berries are great for our health, but unfortunately, they too can lead to the staining of the teeth. This is due to their pigment, which again binds to our enamel quite effectively.
Tomato sauce: Another pigment found in tomatoes can be an issue when it comes to staining our teeth. This mostly happens because of the acidic nature of the tomato sauce, which can soften the enamel and, in the long run, make it possible for the staining to come through more easily.
Habits That Can Stain Teeth
Smoking: This is an easy one, but everyone seems to know that smoking not only stains the teeth but also cause them to look brown and discoloured. This all comes from the nicotine and leftover tar getting inside the crevices of the teeth and even the gums if done too regularly.
Dehydration: Some don’t connect dehydration with tooth discolouration, but it is indeed a reason why some have noticeable staining on their teeth. This is since, when our bodies are not properly hydrated, our enamel gets softened and can easily become stained.
Brushing too hard: Sure, brushing our teeth is a good thing, but not when it’s done too hard. When our teeth are brushed too hard, then the enamel can be worn away and, over time, make it more possible for the beneath levels to become stained.
Preventing Stains from Occurring
To keep the teeth from becoming discoloured, then it is important to do all the things that can make the staining less likely. Of course, not everyone can drastically change their diet or stop doing something that is affecting their teeth. But, there are some things that can be done in order to keep the staining from becoming noticeable.
Oral hygiene:
One of the most important things that can be done in order to keep the teeth from getting a yellow or brownish hue is to make sure that oral hygiene is happening on a daily basis. This means brushing and flossing at least twice a day, if not more, and making sure to use a quality toothpaste and cleaner.
See the dentist:
It is also very important to make sure to see a dentist every six months for a cleaning. This can help get rid of some of the built-up staining and can make it much easier to keep away any future discoloration.
Use a good mouthwash:
A good fluoride mouthwash can be one of the best ways to keep the stains away. This is because using one can help protect the enamel from becoming stained and can help to make the teeth appear brighter.
Limit staining foods and beverages:
And lastly, the most important thing to do when trying to avoid tooth staining is to limit the consumption of the foods and beverages listed above. If they are unpreventable, then another option is to brush and use mouthwash soon after indulgence.
In conclusion, there are many foods and habits that can contribute to the staining of the teeth, and they vary from person to person. The best way to keep away unsightly discoloration is to make sure that oral hygiene and dental appointments are a regular occurrence and to limit the consumption of staining foods and drinks. By keeping these three things in mind, it is very possible to keep the teeth from becoming discoloured and to make sure that they remain as white as possible for as long as possible.