Top Foods & Drinks that Can Stain Your Teeth

While it is important to obtain a pearly white smile to keep your teeth in the best shape possible, maintaining great oral health can be challenging especially if our favorite foods are known to cause stains. Certain types of foods and beverages can allow stains to form on our enamel causing them to appear yellow and not as healthy. If your teeth are not as white as you would like them to be, consider a cosmetic dentistry smile makeover with a professional dentist!

At Hillcrest Dental, we support our clients’ mindfulness toward maintaining their dental health with quality Albemarle County cosmetic dentistry services. Cosmetic dentistry is available for those who would like to obtain a brighter smile, which will give them the confidence they need to lead a more successful life. Keep your smile in great health and avoid or limit this list of food and drink items below that can easily stain your teeth:

Common Beverages That Cause Stains on Your Teeth

• Coffee

You may prevent coffee from staining your teeth by adding milk to lighten the color and sweeten its bitterness. However, keep in mind that drinking this highly acidic beverage regularly will result in stains on your teeth.

• Tea

Although tea may seem like a milder alternative to coffee, tea contains a large amount of tannins, or chemical compounds that are mostly found in plants, which can cause staining on tooth enamel.

• Soda

Aside from being substantially unhealthy for you in general, sodas or carbonated drinks are also increasingly bad for your teeth as its ingredients such as artificial sugars and acids will decay your tooth enamel. This makes it easier for them to stain, as well as further degrade your dental health.

• Wine

When it comes to teeth stains, red wines commonly take the blame. However, white wine can be even more damaging to your oral health since it has a much higher acidity than red wine. We also advise against drinking both in a single sitting as the white wine would promote decay of the soft enamel, thus allowing red wine to easily dull and discolor your teeth.

Common Foods That Cause Stains on Your Teeth

• Soy sauce

As soy sauce is a darkly-colored liquid with a high concentration of sodium, it will likely stain your teeth. Be sure to cut down on the amount you consume during a meal.  

• Blueberries

While enormously healthy and tasty, eating blueberries also produces dark stains on your teeth. However, simply rinse your mouth with water after you eat them, so you can keep your smile clean.

• Balsamic Vinegar

Much like soy sauce, balsamic vinegar’s rich, dark color as well as its high acidic content, means that it will weaken enamel and leave stains on your teeth. Putting a light portion of it in your salad can help prevent any discoloration from developing.

• Tomato Sauce

Tomatoes are also highly acidic and can cause rather unappealing red-orange stains on your teeth, so be sure to thoroughly rinse, floss, and brush your teeth after a delicious pasta dinner.

Obtain A Bright Smile with Professional Cosmetic Dentistry in Albemarle County

Always be attentive with what you consume whenever you think about your dental health.  Our best advice: brush and floss your teeth regularly each day to avoid those bothersome stains, as well as any other dental issues such as toothaches, cavities, tooth fractures, and weak gums. Since 1953, Hillcrest Dental has been serving the most effective and personalized dental care to our close group of patients and clients. We are always happy to help you achieve the smile you deserve and provide services that suit your needs most.

To ensure that your teeth and gums are in the best of health, schedule a cosmetic dentistry service consultation at Hillcrest Dental! Book an appointment with our team, contact us at 434-973-2224.