Coffee and tea get all the
blame! And yes, these two beverages are two of the top culprits when it comes
to staining your teeth. But there are other less obvious foods and drinks that
can turn your smile from pearly white to yellow.
Soda, especially dark cola,
is a big offender. In addition to the color, the phosphoric and citric acids in
soda erode tooth enamel, and the sweeteners in regular soda promote tooth
decay.
Red wine and cranberry juice
don't just stain your carpet; they stain your teeth too. The same goes for soy
sauce, balsamic vinegar, and tomato sauce.
A good rule of thumb - if it's the last thing you want to spill on the
floor, your teeth don't love it either. (Sorry wine drinkers, white wine may be
better to spill on your carpet than red, but it is even more acidic than red
and thus will stain too).
Popsicles and slushies are
great on a summer day! But they're not so great for your teeth. They stain not
only your tongue and lips, but your teeth too.
You may be surprised to know
that healthy blueberries, beets, and curry also stain your teeth.
You don't have to give up
every item on this list to have whiter teeth. Some of the foods on this list
are good for your body even if they might stain your teeth: Blueberries and
tomatoes are loaded with healthy antioxidants! This list may also have some of
your favorite treats, and everyone wants to indulge on occasion. What can you
do to help minimize staining if you do eat some of these foods?
1. Flush staining foods with
water. If you're sitting down to eat a bowl of beets, drink a big glass of
water at the same time to dilute the effect on your teeth.
2. Drink your soda, coffee,
or tea through a straw.
3. Choose sauces and
dressings with colors that are not as bright.
4. Eat an apple when drinking
a staining beverage. The texture and light color of an apple will act like
detergent on your teeth.
5. Brush your teeth (but
first, rinse your mouth thoroughly to buffer the acid).
6. Visit us at SmileDesigner
to find out about our Arlington teeth whitening
and Washington DC teeth whitening services, such as
in-office laser bleaching and at-home bleaching.
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