Determined to keep those pearly whites in their whitest? Brushing and flossing are important, as well as avoiding tobacco, but dentists say you should also be mindful of certain foods and beverages that stain teeth.
There are some foods that stain our teeth, and we don't even realize that they do.
Check out what these foods are.
1. Tea.
Just like how wine does, the ordinary black tea most people drink is rich in stain-promoting tannins. Dentists say it’s a bigger stainer than coffee. Herbal, green, and white teas are less probable to stain than black tea. To keep away from any damage, avoid dark colored teas and go for green, white, or other herbal teas instead,
2. Sauces
They may be tasty and scrumptious on our food, but deeply colored sauces -- like soy, tomato, and curry -- also cause stains. Switch to light-colored or creamy sauces, such as rice vinegar or lemon, and brush and rinse soon after eating.
3. Berries
The healthy blueberries, blackberries, cherries, pomegranates, and other vibrant fruits can stain teeth. So can juices and pies made from them. So brush and floss after eating them. While paler fruits, like white grapes and white cranberries, are less likely to cause stains.
4. Soda, Cola, and Other Carbonated Drinks
Looking for a reason to cut back? Carbonated beverages have similar acidity to battery acid. Thanks to acids and dyes, these drinks -- even light-colored ones -- can lead to serious stains. Plus, the chemicals that add flavor can also eat away your enamel.
5. Candy and Sweets
Mom was right! If your favorite sweet -- like hard candy, chewing gum, or a popsicle -- makes your tongue change colors, it can also stain your teeth. The good news is that unless you eat those goodies often, they probably won’t do much harm.
Sometimes, you can’t avoid these foods — some of them are even healthy choices. First of all, don’t let stain-causing foods and drinks stay in your mouth for long. Instead, swallow and chew them quickly to help protect your teeth. Another tip is to use a straw to sip on some of these drinks. This way, the liquids are kept away from your teeth and can reduce the risk of staining. Moreover, it’s important to rinse and brush after eating.
There are some foods that stain our teeth, and we don't even realize that they do.
Check out what these foods are.
1. Tea.
Just like how wine does, the ordinary black tea most people drink is rich in stain-promoting tannins. Dentists say it’s a bigger stainer than coffee. Herbal, green, and white teas are less probable to stain than black tea. To keep away from any damage, avoid dark colored teas and go for green, white, or other herbal teas instead,
2. Sauces
They may be tasty and scrumptious on our food, but deeply colored sauces -- like soy, tomato, and curry -- also cause stains. Switch to light-colored or creamy sauces, such as rice vinegar or lemon, and brush and rinse soon after eating.
3. Berries
The healthy blueberries, blackberries, cherries, pomegranates, and other vibrant fruits can stain teeth. So can juices and pies made from them. So brush and floss after eating them. While paler fruits, like white grapes and white cranberries, are less likely to cause stains.
4. Soda, Cola, and Other Carbonated Drinks
Looking for a reason to cut back? Carbonated beverages have similar acidity to battery acid. Thanks to acids and dyes, these drinks -- even light-colored ones -- can lead to serious stains. Plus, the chemicals that add flavor can also eat away your enamel.
5. Candy and Sweets
Mom was right! If your favorite sweet -- like hard candy, chewing gum, or a popsicle -- makes your tongue change colors, it can also stain your teeth. The good news is that unless you eat those goodies often, they probably won’t do much harm.
Sometimes, you can’t avoid these foods — some of them are even healthy choices. First of all, don’t let stain-causing foods and drinks stay in your mouth for long. Instead, swallow and chew them quickly to help protect your teeth. Another tip is to use a straw to sip on some of these drinks. This way, the liquids are kept away from your teeth and can reduce the risk of staining. Moreover, it’s important to rinse and brush after eating.