We all want cleaner and brighter smiles, however for many without access to proper dental treatment that seems nearly an impossibility. Fortunately a cleaner smile can actually be procured through one simple thing: being careful of foods that stain your teeth.
By avoiding such things, and by properly cleaning and caring for your teeth, you’ll quickly find that dentists are quite unnecessary to keep your teeth looking fresh and well-kept.
- Hard Candy
Eating too much sugar in general is considered by dentists to be bad for your teeth, as the sugary content increases the acidity of your mouth and leads to tooth decay. However candy can also get lodged in your teeth, leading to bacterial build up and even further damage to your teeth if left unchecked. This damage eventually manifests as dark, discolored spots on your teeth that can make them look less than appealing.
Candy that have a lot of coloring in them can also lead to more stain on your teeth as well. If it can make your tongue bright green, you may want to eat it only occasionally.
- Berries
Actual berries such as blackcurrants, raspberries and pomegranates, as well as fruits such as strawberries, are exceptionally good for you as they contain high levels of antioxidants, and can lead to a more balanced and healthier diet. However their dark stains can also pose a problem for your teeth, and consistent eating of them may lead to stains and discoloration. Small seeds can also get stuck between your teeth, leading to increased risk of tooth decay.
So while we don’t want to dissuade you from healthier eating, eat these things in more moderation if you want your teeth looking as healthy as you are! Alternative sources of antioxidants that do not cause as much stains to your teeth include “white” grapes, cauliflower, apples and watermelon.
- Red Wine
Red wine is notorious for stains at the best of times. So take what happens to a nice, clean tablecloth when wine gets splashed on it and consider what it might do to your teeth as well. The acidic content can also do quite the number on your tooth enamel if you’re not careful. Should you be rather partial to a glass of red during meals, consider rinsing your mouth out with water in between glasses to keep the damage to a minimum.
- Tea and Coffee
Both of these drinks can leave particularly stubborn stains on your teeth, and unfortunately many people like to consume large amounts of it each day. If you really cannot live without your morning cup of Joe, then consider adding more milk or water to dilute it first, and be careful how much sweetener you use with each cup. Drinking some water afterwards can also help clean out your mouth.
- Citrusy Fruits
Citrus acid is healthy – famously it helps reduce the chances of scurvy, and also promotes brain activity. However, naturally, the citrus acids can also prove to be highly damaging to your teeth. Eventually this will start to wear away the layers of enamel in your teeth, eventually leaving them looking a lot duller and a lot more worn in color and appearance.
- Soda
For much the same reason, you should also avoid sodas and other carbonated drinks. As well as being very high in sugars, which increase the amount of bacteria in your mouth, they’re also highly acidic and can cause damage to your tooth enamel. Eventually this will lead to cavities, as well as all round tooth decay, in addition to making your teeth look dull.
Many drinks also carry dyes and food colorings that can also stain your teeth while they’re at it, which only makes them look even worse.
If you are wanting to have your teeth whitened, you can use the home kits, however, it would be best to see a professional.