Foods and Beverages that Stain your Teeth

We all want flashy, pearly white teeth like the ones we see in commercials. We use whitening toothpastes, strips, and other natural products to keep them from getting stained. However, it is also equally important to be aware of the foods and drinks that we take that keep us from achieving that perfect smile.

Foods and drinks that have intense colors are likely to stain teeth. If it can stain your clothes, then chances are that it will have the same effect on your teeth. What gives food and drinks their color are chromogens – these are intensely pigmented molecules that stick to the dental enamel upon contact. Furthermore, the staining ability of food and drinks also comes from its acidity. Even if the food is not intensely colored, the acid erodes the surface of the teeth, therefore making it easier for the chromogens to stick. Lastly, the compound tannin is another factor for not so white teeth. Tannin boosts the ability of chromogens to attach itself to the teeth.  happy woman with vegetables greenspoint dental

Here are some of the foods and beverages that are the top offenders when it comes to staining your teeth:

1. Tea

Black tea is rich in tannins, making it easy for chromogens to attach to the teeth. Tea is considered by doctors to be a worse staining agent than coffee which on the other hand, contains more chromogens than tea. Consider taking green, white, and herbal teas if you are seriously thinking of getting white teeth.

2. Wine

Red wine contains both chromogens and tannin, which guarantees its teeth staining powers. White wine is also known to stain teeth, despite its clear color. Moreover, a person who drinks wine, and then drinks tea, will likely have stained teeth because of the exposure to chromogens and tannin.

3. Soda

Soda is acidic, which makes the environment chromogen-friendly. Regardless if it’s clear or colored, soda has the power to stain teeth especially for those who always keep a can handy and enjoy the drink throughout the day.

4. Sports and energy drinks

Similar to soda, sports and energy drinks are also acidic, which promotes the staining of teeth because it allows chromogens to attach to the teeth.

5. Sweets

Chewing gum, hard candy, chocolates and other candies usually have teeth-staining agents. If the color of your tongue changes, then it is likely that the stain will also stay in your teeth cause a discoloration. Furthermore, the sugars in sweets react with the bacteria that are present in the mouth, and this causes the teeth to become acidic.

6. Berries

Berries such as blackberries, cranberries, raspberries and blueberries are all intensely-colored fruits, which mean that they have a lot of chromogens in them.

7. Sauces

Chromogen-rich soy sauce, curry sauce, tomato sauce, and other intensely-colored sauces are also known to promote teeth-staining.

By being aware of these teeth-staining foods and beverages, you are one step closer to achieving pearly white teeth. If you are looking for a professional treatment that can expedite results, the dentists of Greenspoint Dental would love to help you.