There is no question that a white smile is a beautiful smile. However, sometimes the foods and drinks you love to consume are the ones that are sabotaging this desirable smile trait. Unfortunately, even healthy foods can be culprits to a yellowed or darkened smile. If you want to achieve a whiter smile or simply retain your recent teeth whitening results, consider keeping these items off your plate or at least consume them in moderation.
- Drinks
- Your beverage of choice can be a prime culprit to a dingy smile. Unlike foods, you consume a drink more slowly, perhaps sipping on it throughout the day. If it is one that can stain your teeth, you are inviting those staining agents to latch on to the surface of your teeth over time. While stubborn stains can be caused by coffee, red wine and tea, there is another group of drinks that you need to watch out for. Acidic drinks can also wreak havoc on the color of your teeth. These include sports drinks, energy drinks and sodas. When you drink these beverages on a daily basis, you are essentially giving your smile an acidic bath that can destroy your tooth enamel. When tooth enamel is lost or wears thin, the yellow dentin layer is more visible.
- Berries
- While berries are an excellent source of antioxidants to fuel your immune system, they are not so favorable on your white smile. Juicy cranberries, blueberries, and raspberries contain dark pigments that can build up on your teeth. Whether they are fresh, frozen or in jam, pie or juice, they can still leave their mark on your smile.
- Sauces and Seasonings
- You may not consider your sauces and seasonings as a staining culprit, but they can deliver an equal impact to your smile hue. Tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar and curry seasoning give your meal a flavorful boost, but it may be at the cost of your white smile.
- Ways to Fight Back
- While it may not be reasonable or desirable to avoid these darkening foods and drinks completely, there are ways you can counter their effects on your smile. When it comes to drinks, try to use a straw and avoid sipping on your coffee or tea throughout the entire day. In addition, follow the above mentioned menu items with a rinse of water, a stick of sugarless gum or your toothbrush to remove the staining agents before they soak in to your teeth. Always practice diligent oral hygiene, including brushing for two minutes, twice a day. A routine dental checkup will also include professional cleaning and polishing of your teeth.
If you have stubborn tooth stains caused by your dietary habits, consider teeth whitening from Park South Dentistry. We offer the most proven and effective whitening technology that can lighten your smile by multiple shades in a single treatment.
