Can Children Get Gum Disease?
When we think of gum disease, we often associate it with long term of dental neglect. But can children get gum disease, too? The answer might surprise you.
Top 12 Foods That Stain Teeth
A bright white smile can make you look better, feel more confident, and even appear younger. Unfortunately, many common foods and drinks can stain your teeth over time. But don’t worry!
If you know what they are, you can avoid them or take steps to keep your smile white, even if you indulge in the occasional treat.
What Causes Tooth Staining?
To understand why certain foods stain teeth, it’s helpful to know about tooth staining. There are two overarching types of stains: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic stains are internal and are caused by genetic factors, medications, or excessive fluoride.
Extrinsic stains are caused by external factors like foods and drinks. They can also be caused by smoking, vaping, or poor oral hygiene, so it’s important to quit tobacco and brush and floss regularly!
Foods that stain deposit pigments onto the surface of the teeth. These stains are generally superficial, but over time, they can set into the enamel and be harder to remove. One factor can be artificially colored foods like candies, popsicles, and other artificially colored foods you know for staining not only your tongue (fun) but also can stain your teeth (not so fun).
Top Tooth-Staining Foods and Drinks
Since foods and drinks are so much easier to avoid than medication or genetics, let’s take a look at foods that stain teeth.
Coffee: Coffee has dark pigments and high levels of acidity that can discolor enamel over time. A lighter roast or added cream doesn’t help, as those pigments are still there. It can be an extra challenge as many of us feel like we need our coffee daily!
Tea: Certain teas, especially black and dark herbal teas, can stain teeth even more than coffee. This is due to their high tannin content, which enhances staining. Lighter teas like green or white tea have fewer pigments.
Red Wine: Due to both tannins and chromogens, the deep red color and acidity of red wine can cling to enamel, causing significant discoloration. Rinsing your mouth with water after enjoying wine can minimize stain buildup (and your hangover).
Soda/Pop: Dark-colored sodas and colas are packed with acids and dyes that stain teeth. The carbonation also adds to enamel erosion, which makes teeth more vulnerable to discoloration.
Berries: While they are considered lower-sugar fruits, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are delicious but full of deeply pigmented juices. Eat these fruits as part of a meal (like along with calcium-rich low-sugar yogurt) to reduce their acidic effect on your teeth or choose fruits like strawberries or watermelon that have a high water content and less pigment.
Tomato-Based Sauces: Pasta sauce and other tomato-based dishes have both pigments and acidity, making them a common source of tooth stains.
Soy Sauce : Like tomato sauce, soy sauce is delicious, but its dark color can leave stains on teeth after lots of exposure.
Balsamic Vinegar: Balsamic vinegar is great for salads but can quickly stain teeth due to its dark hue, sticky texture, and acidic nature.
Beets: Beets are packed with nutrients, but their vivid red pigment easily transfers to tooth enamel. Choose rainbow beets for less red color and enjoy them roasted or mixed in a salad to reduce their staining potential.
Curry: Curry’s rich yellow and orange pigments make it another stain-inducing food that can impact teeth.
Sports Drinks: Many sports drinks contain artificial dyes and high acidity, which can contribute to staining and enamel erosion. If you need electrolytes, try coconut water, or make sure to pair your sports drink with regular water to wash away stains.
Energy Drinks: Like sports drinks and soda, energy drinks are highly acidic and often contain food coloring, making them notorious for discoloring teeth.
Preventing Tooth Stains
While avoiding all of these foods isn’t practical, there are steps you can take to protect your teeth from stains while still enjoying your favorite treats:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene
- Drink Through a Straw
- Rinse or Swish with Water
- Regular Dental Cleanings
- Professional Whitening
Keep that Smile Bright
If you have tooth stains and are ready to take the next step in upgrading your smile, contact us today to learn about our professional whitening services!
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