Many of us aren’t 100% satisfied with the color of our teeth; over time, our teeth are prone to discoloration, which can be caused by our diet and our oral health routines. If you are less than happy with your current smile, the good news is there are ways to reduce the impact of stains, leading to a healthy, sparkling smile!
Foods and Drinks that Cause Tooth Staining
A general rule of thumb to follow: if a food stains your skin or clothing, it tends to stain your teeth as well. A few common culprits include:
Dark beverages like tea, coffee, cola, red wine, grape juice, and cranberry juice- Blueberries
- Soy Sauce
- Tomato Sauce
- Beets
Dark beverages like tea, coffee, cola, red wine, grape juice, and cranberry juiceAfter enjoying these foods, consider rinsing your mouth afterwards; this will deter any permanent stains.
Five Methods for Cutting down on Staining
The good news is, tooth stains are preventable! You can still eat delicious stain prone foods, however, you will just need to commit to the following techniques:
- Drink Water in Between Dark Beverages: Each time you drink a staining substance, like coffee, tea, wine, or juice, wash it down with a tall glass of water! Not only will this keep you hydrated, you are washing away any remaining residue.
- Follow Up with a Brush and Floss:After we eat, extra food and bacteria linger in our mouths. Combat this by thoroughly brushing your teeth and flossing twice a day for 2 minutes each.
- Try a Straw: Practice sipping your beverages through a straw! This method keeps dark beverages away from your smile.
- Avoid Smoking: Another reason to quit smoking: it damages your oral health and causes serious staining.
- See a Dentist Every 6 Months: Keeping up with your oral health takes commitment, but fortunately, dentists are around to professionally clean and monitor your smile as well! Schedule a visit every 6 months to ensure you are properly taking care of your pearly whites.
Foods that Help Remove Stains
Now that we’ve discussed foods that are prone to stain, let’s focus on foods that can actually reduce the staining on your teeth. Eating these products help produce saliva, a natural way your body cleans your mouth!
Pick up the following for a cleaner mouth:
- Water
- Onions
- Apple
- Cheese
- Strawberries
- Shitake Mushrooms
- Broccoli
- Raisins
- Pineapple
- Carrots
Fan of citrus fruits? The acid in citrus fruits can aid in tooth whitening- although be cautious, acidic foods tend to soften your enamel, so we suggest waiting 30 minutes before any vigorous brushing.
Visit our whitening page to learn more ways you can keep your teeth glowing!