You don’t just want your teeth to be healthy, you also want them to look great. Professional whitening is always an option, and even whitening toothpastes can be effective, but it’s still important to watch what you eat and drink. If you pay to have your teeth professionally whitened, you want the procedure to be as effective and long lasting as possible, and what you eat and drink can have a big impact on how white your teeth look. Below are some of the foods and beverages most likely to stain your teeth.
Coffee and Tea
Most of us rely on coffee and/or tea to help get us get going in the morning (and afternoon), but they’re both terrible for your teeth. While the tannins in coffee and tea are thought to have some health benefits, they are known stain your teeth.
On the bright side, there has been some evidence to show that adding milk to your coffee or tea could help counteract the staining effect of the tannins, so ditch the drip coffee and go for the latte.
Red Wine
The occasional glass of red wine might be good for your heart, but it’s known to stain your teeth. Better to play it safe and keep your red wine intake to a minimum, or even avoid it altogether.
Dark Sodas
Dark sodas, such as Coke and Pepsi, not only stain your teeth, but the sugar and acid they contain can corrode the enamel of your teeth. Bad bacteria can also feed off the sugar in soda, leading to tooth decay and gum disease.
Dark Fruit Juices
Orange juice is fine (as long as it doesn’t have any sugar added), but the dark fruit juices, such as cranberry, grape, blueberry, and tomato juices, all have a tendency to leave teeth stained. Tomato-based sauces are also a hazard to white teeth, so it’s best to steer clear of the marinara after getting your teeth whitened.
Berries
Fruits like blueberries aren’t just bad for your teeth in juice form. Whether you’re eating them fresh, in a pie, or even in a muffin, they have the potential to stain your teeth. The same goes for strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, and cherries.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice with tons of health benefits, but it also has a tendency to stain everything yellow, including your teeth. That means, if you’re trying to keep your teeth white, you’re better off avoiding anything that has turmeric in it, especially curry, which has a variety of other spices that could also stain your teeth.
Balsamic Vinegar and Soy Sauce
They might add a nice tang to meals, but the dark color of balsamic vinegar and soy sauce can linger on your teeth long after you’ve finished digesting your meal.
Beets
Beets are delicious and nutritious, but anyone who’s handled them knows they stain everything, including your teeth. If you’re trying to whiten your teeth or you’ve recently had your teeth professionally whitened, you’d be better off staying away from the beet salads and beet juice for a while.
We offer professional teeth whitening services, as well as checkups, cleanings, fillings, and other routine dental services. If you want your smile to be both whiter and healthier, don’t hesitate to reach out so we can help.
If you want to keep your teeth healthy and strong, you must take care of them. At Simply Smiles Dentistry, we can show you how to properly care for your teeth. You will have a great smile that lasts a lifetime.
CONTACT OUR OFFICE or SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE.
Until next time…Keep on Smiling!