Having a dazzling white smile is something that most of us aspire to. Looking after our teeth with regular brushing and flossing certainly helps, as do regular visits to the dentist to have our teeth cleaned, or perhaps even laser whitening. A bright smile fills us with confidence, essentially helping to make us happier people as we don’t refrain from opening our mouths. Even the camera lens seems much friendlier when we are confident with our smiles.
While it’s important to look after our teeth with brushing and certain treatments, trying to avoid discolouring or rotting our teeth should also be a part of our overall health agenda.
In this post we’ll look at some foods and drinks to avoid or cut back on that are notorious for causing stains and discolouration, and possibly even tooth decay as well.
Foods To Avoid
Really any foods with high or dark pigmentation have the capacity to stain the teeth. While it’s not necessary to avoid these foods completely, it’s worth keeping in mind what foods can cause staining so you can make an informed decision whether to eat them or not.
Here are the 3 things in food (and drinks) that can cause tooth discolouration:
- Chromogens (pigmentation)
- Acids
- Tannins
Now some of the foods that are high in at least one of the above three elements:
- Berries, such as blackberries, blueberries, cranberries
- Lollies and other sweets
- Food colouring (either natural or artificial)
- Dark coloured foods
- Coloured sauces, such as soy sauce, tomato sauce, vinegar
- Curry
Drinks To Avoid
Drinks are even more notorious for tooth discolouration and staining. Many drinks contain the 3 elements mentioned above, and some contain all three. One way to help avoid tooth discolouration when drinking is to use a straw when possible. This helps the liquid bypass the teeth for the most part.
Another good habit to develop is to always rinse your mouth out thoroughly with fresh water after eating or drinking anything that can potentially stain your teeth.
Now for a list of drinks to be wary of:
- Coffee and tea
- Red and white wine
- Alcohol in general
- Soft drinks, such as colas
- Any dark coloured beverages
- Fruit juices, especially citrus juices
- Sports drinks
- Berry juice
A Visit With Your Dentist Can Help
Make an appointment with your dentist for advice on how to keep your teeth healthy and white. Your dentist can also give your teeth a thorough professional cleaning on a regular basis, and if you really want dazzling white teeth, book in for a laser whitening session.
For complete and expert dental care on the Gold Coast, come and visit Advanced Dental Care Clinic in Oxenford. We can help you achieve your dreams of the perfect smile. We offer:
- Laser whitening
- Custom made whitening (take home treatment)
- Teeth cleaning
- Cosmetic dentistry
