Stain, Stain Go Away!

Who does not want a perfectly healthy set of teeth? Let’s face it, when it comes to looking good, a clean set of pearly whites are part of the norm. And keeping your teeth that way would mean staying away from these stain-inducing substances.

Coffee and Tea. Coffee’s dark color and acidic nature easily latches on to your tooth’s enamel.


Equally having the staining effect of coffee, certain types of tea can potentially damage the enamel.

Wine. Although wine can be good for our gums because it reduces inflammation, its deep red/purple color and its tannins can erode tooth enamel, setting the stage for staining.

Colored Sodas and other carbonated drinks. These drinks are highly acidic, therefore, can cause some serious staining on your teeth. Plus, these drinks are packed with sugar so when regularly consumed, may cause tooth decay.

Candies, Popsicles, gums and other Sweets. All these contain colorants that will tarnish the teeth and damage its porous enamel.

Condiments. Dressings, Soy Sauce, Balsamic Vinegar and other dark and acidic liquids leave behind nasty stains, while sauces such as tomato and curry have significant tooth-staining potential as well.

Berries and Fruit juices. They are packed with antioxidants but their pigmented molecules, stick to the tooth enamel.

Minimize Staining on Your Teeth:

Delicious as they may be, the everyday foods and beverages mentioned earlier can stain your teeth and dull those beautiful pearly whites. Here are a couple of tips for keeping those horrible stains to a minimum.

Cut back from eating teeth-staining food. Don’t cut back on all of them, though, especially on those ones rich in antioxidants. Instead, have them in moderation or opt for other antioxidant sources such as melons, cauliflowers, and apples. If you just can’t get away from coffee, add a splash of milk to lessen the staining effect. Also, choose lemon flavored sweets over berry flavored ones if you must indulge in candies or popsicles. Better yet, stick to sugarless gums. It’s not only a tooth conscious alternative, but a healthier option as well.

When cooking, consider lighter cream sauces and condiments like rice vinegar or lemon for less damaging options.

Eat vegetables such as lettuce or broccoli. Doing so will not prevent the stains from adhering, but eating vegetables beforehand can help mitigate the staining level by forming a protective barrier on the teeth.

Use a straw. Using straws should keep your sodas or juices away from your teeth, reducing the risk of unsightly stains.

Make brushing after every meal a habit. Don’t wait until nighttime to brush your teeth. Leaving this habit for later would up the risk of teeth stain as well as decay. If you can’t get your toothbrush, then at least rinse your mouth with water, floss, or chew a sugarless gum after eating to prevent the risk of teeth abrasion.

Schedule an Appointment. Whatever the procedure may be, be it teeth whitening, veneers, or crowns, will sure have the ideal solution to restore your naturally beautiful smile.