We are all concerned about our beautiful teeth, right!? Well that is what makes ourselves shine, way beyond our bodies. It is all about our teeth and shining with a beautiful white glow. There is nothing like a bright white smile! If you want to keep your teeth white, check this list of foods and beverages that stain teeth.
I know you are all determined to keep those pearly whites whites! You know the importance of brushing and flossing daily, or with each meal, we have gone over this… and to avoid smoking or chewing tobacco, of course!!! But dentists say you should also be mindful of certain foods and beverages that stain teeth.
As you might imagine, intensely colored foods and beverages tend to be the biggest offenders.
The color in these foods and beverages comes from chromogens, pigmented molecules that latch on to dental enamel. But the chromogens isn’t the only thing that determines that stains our teeth… acid is a huge factor!!
Acidity is another factor. Acidic foods and beverages — including some that are not brightly colored — stain by eroding the dental enamel, temporarily softening teeth and making it easier for chromogens to latch on. Also, it is a family of food compounds known as tannins promotes staining by boosting chromogens’ ability to attach to enamel… So we need to watch those acidic foods…
The Top Teeth-Staining Foods and drinks
1. Wine. Red wine, an acidic beverage that contains chromogens and tannins, is notorious for staining teeth. But white wine, too, promotes staining.
2. Tea. Like wine, the ordinary black tea most people drink is rich in stain-promoting tannins. Dentists say it’s a bigger stainer than coffee, which is chromogen-rich but low in tannins. Herbal, green, and white teas are less likely to stain than black tea.
3. Cola. Acidic and chromogen-rich, cola can cause significant staining. But even light-colored soft drinks are sufficiently acidic to promote staining of teeth by other foods and beverages.
4. Sports drinks. Highly acidic sports drinks can soften tooth enamel
5. Berries. Blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, cherries, grapes, pomegranates, and other intensely colored fruits (and juices, pies, and other foods and beverages made from them) can cause stains.
6. Sauces. Soy sauce, tomato sauce, curry sauce, and other deeply colored sauces are believed to have significant staining potential!!
7. Sweets. Hard candies, chewing gum, popsicles, and other sweets often contain teeth-staining coloring agents. If your tongue turns a funny color, there’s a good chance that your teeth will be affected, too. But unless they are consumed regularly, these sweets probably play a minor role in teeth staining.
Here are a few tips to avoid the staining…
Ironically, many of the foods and beverages that stain teeth are loaded with antioxidants, which, of course, have key health benefits. So if you’re worried about stained teeth, you might want to cut back on these foods and beverages rather than cut them out entirely. Moderation and balance are key, right!!
* Use a straw. Sipping beverages through a straw is believed to help keep teeth-staining beverages away from the teeth — the front teeth, in particular. Sip through a straw!!
* Don’t allow the food to sit in your mouth for long…Swallowing stain-causing foods and beverages quickly is also believed to help protect teeth from stains. Obviously, it’s important to chew your foods thoroughly before swallowing. But don’t keep things in your mouth for long periods of time.
* Swish with water after your meals and brush regularly! It’s not always convenient to brush your teeth after having something to eat or drink but swishing with water is practical and realistic. It is also known that chewing sugarless gum after eating or drinking can help too! Of course chew within moderation and maybe split your gum sticks in half to limit too much gum.
Smile bright, Smile Big!!
