Smiles are sometimes said to be the key to confidence. No one wants to feel uncomfortable or self-conscious when smiling. But, in a culture that loves consuming coffee, wine, and other tooth staining delicacies it can be hard to keep teeth looking their best.
It seems to be common knowledge things like coffee, wine, sodas and smoking stain teeth. But, many people are very surprised to find out about the other everyday foods and drinks that have an effect on the discoloration of teeth.
Teas
When you think about it, it makes sense that dark colored teas could cause stains. But, scientists have found that even white tea can be to blame for discoloration. Most people will also be surprised to find out that tea actually stains teeth worse than coffee. The high amount of tannins found in tea is to blame for this.
Fruits and Vegetables
How can you go wrong eating fruits and veggies? Of course, they should be a huge part of your diet, but things like tomatoes, berries, lemons and beets can also cause staining of the teeth. For some of these, it’s the pigment that causes staining. For others, it’s the high levels of acidity. For some, like tomatoes it’s a combination of the two that cause undesirable discoloration.
Sauces and Condiments
When it comes to ketchup the same problems that tomatoes cause can lead to stains on your teeth. Notice what happens when you pour soy sauce on your white rice? As one of the darkest in the Chinese sauce world, it can be really bad for your teeth. Other sauces that make the list include curry and balsamic vinaigrette.
Of course, it would be tragic if you had to cut all these things out of your diet. Thankfully, that’s not necessarily the case. While choosing foods and drinks that have a lower likelihood of causing discoloration is ideal, there are some ways to minimize or reverse the effects of these tasty treats. First, rinsing your mouth with water is a great and super simple way to fight back against tooth-staining foods. Using a straw when drinking your favorite problematic drinks can go a long way in keeping the stain-causing elements found in them off your teeth. If you feel like it’s too late and your teeth are never going to be flawless the way you wish they were, have hope! Arcadia Dental Arts provide easy and highly effective professional teeth whitening treatments right here in Phoenix. To set up an appointment or for any questions call us at (602) 957-9643 or visit our page on our teeth whitening services here.
