Are yellow or discolored teeth getting in the way of your confidence? If so, you’re not alone. Tooth staining is a common issue for many of our clients, though luckily, it’s a totally preventable one!
Whether it’s from the pigmented foods and drinks you consume or insufficient hygiene habits, there are many factors that can contribute to staining. There are also several simple techniques—and foods—you can incorporate into your life that pave the way for a whiter smile.
Foods & Drinks that Stain Teeth
Remember the last time your cup of tea stained your shirt, or your tongue was blue after eating blueberries? Those foods and drinks are doing the same thing to your teeth. Unfortunately, many of our favorite healthy snacks and beverages are tooth staining culprits.
Some include:
- Dark beverages like tea, coffee, soda, red wine, grape juice and cranberry juice
- Blueberries
- Beets
- Soy sauce
- Tomato sauce
You can stop stains from setting by rinsing out your mouth after eating and drinking these things, though you have to work quickly!
Foods that Whiten Teeth?
Yes, it’s true. Some foods actually prevent stains and have natural whitening properties. How, you ask? They promote increased saliva production and have natural fibers and acids that help clean your teeth.
Some foods to incorporate:
- Water
- Broccoli
- Strawberries
- Cheese
- Apples
- Pineapples
- Carrots
- Raisins
- Onions
- Celery
- Shitake Mushrooms
Citrus fruits are also known for their whitening powers. Just be sure to exercise caution: their acids temporarily soften your enamel which can damage your teeth if you brush too soon after eating them. Wait at least 30 minutes to be safe.
Five Step Stain Prevention
Looking for more tips on how to continue to enjoy your favorite foods while still stopping stains in their tracks? These dentist-approved steps will help keep your pearly whites as white and bright as they can be.
- Alternate with Sips of Water: When drinking your staining beverage of choice, keep a glass of water handy and take sips in between. You’ll help rinse your teeth off as you drink while making your drink last longer. Win, win!
- Sip Through a Straw: Straws allow for most of your drink to bypass your front teeth, cutting down on the time your teeth encounter staining pigments.
- Brush & Floss Everyday: As plaque builds up during the day, the pigments from your foods have something sticky to latch onto. By making sure to brush twice and floss once a day. You get rid of plaque, stains and bacteria regularly, so they don’t have time to stick.
- Don’t Smoke: In addition to causing too many health problems to count, smoking is a huge culprit in causing serious stains due to the tar found in cigarettes and chewing tobacco.
- Don’t Miss Your 6 Month Checkups: A professional cleaning and polishing will help remove tartar buildup that stains cling to over time.
We hope you found these tips helpful and informative. If you think your stains have permanently set in, visit our whitening page to learn about our more intensive whitening options!
