Acids<\/strong> \u2014 these make tooth enamel softer and rougher, making it easier for stains to set in<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nCoffee, Tea, or Neither?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You probably think the main cause of darkened teeth, is a drink you brew for yourself in the morning. You can tell from its colour that it\u2019s high in chromogens, and it\u2019s very acidic. Together, these factors help turn white teeth yellow over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it\u2019s not the worst culprit. Not only is it full of acid, but it also has tannins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTea causes teeth to stain much worse than coffee,\u201d says Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD, professor at the New York University College of Dentistry. \u201cIced tea or brewed tea \u2014 it doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s In Your Glass?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Red wine can be good for your health, but it\u2019s not ideal for a bright smile. Wolff says three factors work against it: It\u2019s very acidic, it has lots of tannins, and as its deep purple colour suggests, it is high in chromogens, which land on your teeth and stick to them quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
White wine has both acid and, despite its colour, some tannins. It doesn\u2019t have its own colour to stain teeth, but the tannins and acids make your teeth fair game for other types of stains. They\u2019re more likely to be stained by a tomato, a blueberry, or a strawberry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Food Dye<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve ever sucked on a lollipop and found that your tongue and teeth turned blue, you\u2019ve seen the effects. Dentists suggest that you avoid brightly coloured candy, ice pops, and sweetened drinks. \u201cFood colouring is a pretty aggressive colouring,\u201d Wolff says. \u201cIf you have exposed root surfaces, it loves that surface even more than white enamel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Soft Drinks; Hard Truths<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
People who drink cola may notice their teeth turning yellow over time. That\u2019s because soda is very acidic, and dark cola contains chromogens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clear-soda drinkers also may get duller teeth because lemon-lime flavours contain acids, which make teeth prone to stains from other foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like red wine vs. white wine,\u201d Wolff says. White wine makes your teeth easier to stain. So does clear soda. And all sodas have almost the same acid level whether they\u2019re dark, clear, regular, or diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lemonade, which is high in citric acid, can open the door to stains. \u201cAfter that exposure, any colour you put on it will make a stain,\u201d Wolff says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Berries Bite Back<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are high in chromogens. You\u2019ll also find them in cherries and tomatoes. Grapes and pomegranates have them too along with tannins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A good rule of thumb: Fruit that would stain your clothes will do the same thing to your teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tips to Keep Your Smile Bright<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You won\u2019t have to give up coffee, red wine, or blueberries if you add one or more of these habits to your regular routine:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Brush right away. <\/strong>After a bowl of cereal with berries, brush your teeth. If you drink coffee at work, keep a toothbrush in your desk to use after your final cup. Use toothpaste with a little whitening agent, Cram says.<\/li>
- Rinse your mouth. <\/strong>Can\u2019t brush? Swish water around in your mouth after you eat or drink. \u201cEven water is better than leaving all that material behind,\u201d Wolff says.<\/li>
- Use a straw. <\/strong>Straws pull liquids inside your mouth, so the drink bypasses your smile. \u201cIt\u2019s not going all over your teeth,\u201d Cram says. \u201cIt\u2019s going on the roof of your mouth.\u201d<\/li>
- See the dentist. <\/strong>Going for cleanings helps to smooth the fine cracks in tooth enamel where colour gets trapped. \u201cKeeping your teeth polished helps to reduce the number of stains,\u201d Wolff says.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Sources<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Sally Cram, DDS, periodontist, Washington, DC; spokesperson, American Dental Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD, professor and chair, department of cardiology and comprehensive care; associate dean, pre-doctoral clinical education, New York University College of Dentistry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If your smile isn\u2019t as bright as you\u2019d like, it can be beneficial to think about what you put in your mouth. Teeth are susceptible to staining if you smoke or if you eat or drink certain things, and it\u2019s more likely to happen as you age. But once you know what to eat, and what to avoid, you can … <\/p>\n
Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":931,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[32],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTeeth Stains: 6 Tips to Keep Your Teeth White - Springtime Hills Family Dental<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/springtimefamilydentalcare.com\/?p=682\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Teeth Stains: 6 Tips to Keep Your Teeth White - Springtime Hills Family Dental\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"If your smile isn\u2019t as bright as you\u2019d like, it can be beneficial to think about what you put in your mouth. 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