Adding a splash of color to anything is a nice touch, right? Well, maybe it’s great for most things, but not for your teeth. If a food or drink will stain your clothing, it is likely to stain your teeth as well. At Van Dyke General and Implant Dentistry, our Gainesville dentists perform teeth whitening for many patients but here are some foods that you might want to think twice about – they are really good at staining your beautiful white teeth.
Most people know that red wine stains teeth, but did you know that white wine also promotes dull discolored teeth? Tannins, a fancy word for the pigments that give red wine its color, will leave some of that color behind on your teeth. Both red and white wines are highly acidic, which means they wear down the enamel. on your teeth making them grab more color from other foods and drinks.
Like red wine, black coffee has double the staining power. The acid is a threat to your teeth’s enamel, and that makes staining from the dark coffee more likely.
The tannins in tea are actually great for fighting plaque buildup on your teeth and for fighting cavities, but those tannins can cause some pretty serious stains. If you’re concerned about the color of your teeth, green tea or white tea may be better choices.
Any deep colored fruit is a threat to your white teeth. Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, cherries, and pomegranates are full of antioxidants but high in both pigment and acid.
Soy sauce, tomato sauce, and curry sauce are big stain producers. Like most of the things on this list, soy sauce and tomato sauce are also extremely acidic.
A lot of these foods and beverages offer as many health benefits as staining potential. And some of us can’t imagine living without coffee. Does that mean we have to live with discolored teeth? If that isn’t the look you want to achieve, these tips will help you avoid it.
Sometimes even with your best efforts, you will still see a little discoloration on your teeth. If that happens, just visit Van Dyke General and Implant Dentistry to discuss a solution such as professional tooth whitening.