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.
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.