Are your teeth looking more yellow than white these days? Before you reach for over-the-counter whitening products or schedule a teeth whitening treatment with your dentist, it’s important to pinpoint the culprit. For many patients, it’s their diet! With this in mind, read on to learn how foods and drinks stain your teeth (and what you can do to keep your teeth stain-free).
How Foods and Drinks Stain Your Teeth
To understand how dental discoloration occurs, it’s important to first know that the enamel that covers the outer layer of your teeth is naturally porous. As a result, it can easily absorb substances like tannins. Tannins are organic compounds that give many foods and drinks their bitterness and color, like coffee and cherries. Over time, indulging in items like these can cause your once-white teeth to take on a dull, yellow appearance.
6 Stain-Causing Foods and Drinks to Avoid
If you’re concerned about the color of your teeth, then it could be helpful to reduce your intake of the following foods and beverages:
- Coffee
- Dark-colored berries, like blackberries
- Red wine
- Tomato sauce
- Curry
- Balsamic vinegar
If one of your favorites is on this list, don’t worry – you don’t have to completely eliminate it from your diet for the sake of your smile. Oftentimes, small adjustments can be made to protect your teeth, such as using a straw when you drink your coffee!
The Best Way to Whiten Your Teeth
If you’re unhappy with the shade of your teeth, small changes like cutting back on your coffee intake can go a long way. However, if you want to truly transform your smile, then the best thing to do is give your cosmetic dentist a call. At your consultation, they can conduct an oral exam, assess the severity of your discoloration, and learn all about your smile goals. From there, they can share their recommendations. For some patients, an in-office whitening treatment is ideal. For others, it’s veneers or cosmetic dental bonding. Whatever the case may be, you can trust that they can make your dream smile a reality.
Stubborn stains can take a toll on your self-esteem. Fortunately, the discoloration doesn’t have to be permanent. With a visit to your cosmetic dentist’s office, you’ll have a gorgeous, white smile again in just a few visits!
About the Practice
There’s a reason we have “super” in our name: we offer super convenience, super comfort, super safety, and super quality! Plus, our team at Super Dental of Fitchburg is here to help with everything from routine checkups to cosmetic dentistry. So, whether you have a question about your at-home oral hygiene routine or you’d like to learn more about the smile-enhancing treatments we offer, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (978) 216-1515.