5 Foods that stain your teeth

Ensuring a bright and white smile is now a priority for more and more people. Most people know that they should brush and clean their teeth interdentally and attend for regular dental appointments to keep their teeth in the best possible conditions.

But did you know there are also certain foods which you should be mindful of to help keep your pearly whites stain free?

Wine

Red wine is an acidic drink that contains tannins, most commonly thought of as being in tea. This gives the drink the potential to cause a large amount of staining on your teeth.

Wherever possible try to intersperse glasses of water in between the wine, not only will this help to reduce any potential hangover the following day, it will also help to reduce the level of staining of your teeth.

Tea

Like wine, ordinary tea is rich in stain promoting tannins. Many dentists say that staining from tea can be an even bigger problem than staining from coffee as it is low in tannins.

If you can’t bear the thought of giving up your morning brew why not consider switching to an herbal, green or white tea which have all been shown to have much less staining capacity.

Fizzy Drinks

Not only do you need to be concerned with the dark coloured fizzy drinks which have the ability to stain your teeth, lighter coloured drinks are sufficiently acidic that they promote the staining of teeth by other foods and drinks that you may have at the same time.

Also fizzy drinks are often drunk cold and this has the effect of causing teeth to contract, making them more porous and easier to stain.

Dark Sauces

Dark sauces used to flavour foods can also have a staining effect. Soy Sauce, balsamic vinegar and tomato sauces are often used sauces that can have a detrimental effect on the brightness of your smile.

One way to avoid staining is to eat lettuce, spinach or broccoli at the start of your meal, these vegetables form a protective film over teeth so that foods that stain cannot seep into your teeth’s pores.

Berries

Blueberries, Blackberries, Cranberries, Cherries and other intensely coloured fruit also have the potential to cause stains. This is true no matter what form they come in whether juices, smoothies, pies or cakes.

Treatments Available

Visit the hygienist

Here at Benfleet Dental Centre our highly qualified hygienists can help to make your smile dazzle. The hygienist is not only able to give your teeth a deep and thorough cleaning they are also able to advise on the best oral hygiene products to ensure that you are able to keep your teeth healthy in between visits.

Airflow stain removal

A further service the hygienists are able to offer is Airflow stain removal. Airflow stain removal treatment is a pleasant and comfortable procedure. It takes just one appointment and will leave your teeth feeling smooth, clean, polished and ready to smile with confidence.

Airflow stain removal uses air, sodium bicarbonate or glycine powder and a gentle jet stream of water to remove surface stains caused by tobacco, food, drink and other lifestyle factors. You will immediately see and feel the difference.

Airflow stain removal is kind to the tooth surface; it will significantly improve tooth brightness and give you a noticeably sparkling, fresh, healthy mouth in an instant.

If you would like more help and advice on removing those unsightly stains from your teeth call today on 01702 557766 to book your appointment at Benfleet Dental Centre and let our highly trained hygienists improve the appearance of your teeth.