Tooth Discoloration : Foods that Stain Teeth

There are many foods that can end up staining your teeth and making them look several tones darker. Here are some of such foods and drinks:

Tea

While tea can be healthy, it may end up staining your pearly whites. According to experts, the brew, particularly the black variety, can cause a lot more stains in comparison to coffee. White and herbal teas can wear off the outer tooth covering, known as enamel, creating stains.

Sauces

While sauces are tasty, but the ones that are deeply colored such as, tomato, soy, and curry may cause stains. It is best to consume creamy or light-colored sauces, and rinse or brush soon after consuming.

Sports drinks

Drinks and foods that are acidic can also end up affecting your teeth. Energy or sports drinks can corrode enamel, making the teeth to stain. Drinking a lot of water during workouts is a far better choice.

White teeth and wine

Imagine if a drink can stain your tablecloth, how likely it is to stain your teeth. According to dentists, red wine, which is an acidic drink with a rich, dark color, can discolor teeth. However, white wine, with even more acid, can also do the same.

Berries and fruits

Blackberries, blueberries, pomegranates, cherries, and other fruits can also end up staining the teeth. So can pies and juices made out of berries. Fruits such as, white cranberries, white grapes are less probable to cause staining. However, they do have acid that may weaken or soften your enamel.

Cola, soda, and carbonated drinks

These drinks comprise of dyes and acids -- even the ones that are light colored can cause serious stains. Moreover, the chemicals that create the flavor can eat away the enamel.

Sweets and candy

If a sweet such as, chewing gum, hard candy, or even a Popsicle can make your tongue change its color, it can most certainly cause a stain on your teeth. Fortunately, if you only indulge in such goodies once in a while, they will do you no harm.

Lessening the stains:

1. Cut back:

While it’s not a very good idea to cut back on all teeth-staining drinks and foods, such as, blueberries, blackberries, and tomato (full of antioxidants), keep consuming them, but lighten up or choose other sources, such as apples, cauliflower, melon and grapefruit.

2. Make use of a straw

Make sure you sip drinks such as juices, sodas, and iced tea from a straw. This will help in keeping the liquid from not reaching your teeth.

3. Drink swiftly

Do not let drinks that have the potential to cause stains to linger inside your mouth. Make sure you drink them quickly.

4. Rinse or brush after eating

Make sure to swish the mouth with water after you drink or eat something that may cause a stain. Wait for an hour before brushing after consuming something acidic, any time sooner and you will end up hurting the tooth’s enamel.

Good oral and dental care is important if you want to maintain a bright, beautiful smile. Make sure you visit your dentist regularly to keep the mouth cavity free.

Whiten your teeth and brighten your smile

A brilliant smile is a great first impression. It’s no wonder that people try various procedures to brighten their smile. New whitening toothpastes are invented regularly, each one, promising more shine than the previous. Toothbrushes are designed using the latest technology to give your teeth the best protection and a fine gleam. There are ways to make your lips look plumper and softer. The number of ways which people use to make their smile perfect is countless.

One of the first things that people notice when someone smiles is their teeth. If you have dirty, yellowed teeth, that impression will not be a good one. Luckily, dentistry has come a long way and there are various ways to make sure that your teeth look shiny, white and new all the time. 

According to an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry survey, virtually all adults (99.7%) believe a smile is an important social asset. 96% of adults believe an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to members of the opposite sex. Three-quarters (74%) of adults feel an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chance for career success.

What are the causes of tooth discoloration?

Your teeth may get discolored due to various reasons. For some people, it is genetic. It runs in their families and however well they take care of their teeth, it gets discolored sooner or later. It is also more prevalent among certain ethnic groups. Some people are not aware that tooth care begins from infancy and don’t teach their kids dental care. This leads to discoloration of the tooth. If you have gum disease or other tooth problems, it could give rise to discolored teeth.

Smoking, eating food with a lot of food coloring, chewing tobacco and certain kinds of foods leave stains on your teeth. Even if you have taken care of your teeth from a young age, and do not have any vices, as you age, the color of your tooth will get darker. White teeth make you look younger and that is one of the reasons that as people age they try whitening their teeth to look more youthful.

Types of Teeth Whitening

The two most popular ways of whitening the teeth are the DIY way where you can get strips of whiteners or a gel and use it on your teeth, at home, as directed by the instructions on the product. This is actually often prescribed by dentists for younger people whose teeth are not stained too badly. Regular home whitening is enough to keep the teeth white.

But for older people, dentists recommend a consultation with a dentist for teeth whitening. This is a much more complicated and longer procedure but the result is worth it. 

Teeth Whitening by a dentist

Dentists will first apply a gel or paste to protect the tooth enamel from damage. Then, a tray where the whitening gel or liquid is poured is fixed to the teeth. The tray with the gel will be left for a while and when removed your teeth will be many shades whiter. It seems very simple but why this is better done at a dentist than at home is that the protection of the enamel is important. The tray that holds the whitening liquid should be fixed securely, because if the liquid leaks and spills onto your gums, it may cause irritation and inflammation. It is better to do this kind of whitening under dental supervision. 

The results of dental tooth whitening can last for a couple of years with good dental care. A regular visit to the dentist should be enough to keep an eye on the general health of your teeth and gums.