We all like to have a gleaming white smile. But have you been noticing that – no matter how well you brush or floss – that your teeth are losing their vibrant shine?
This could be due to certain foods you’re eating or drinking regularly.
In today’s article, I’ll go over the top 9 foods that could be staining your teeth, along with things you can do to help reduce this discoloration.
That glass with dinner may be doing more than just helping you relax after a long day. As it turns out, acidic foods and drinks like red wine can roughen and open up the pores that exist within the enamel of your teeth.
As your enamel becomes rougher and the surface area increases, the pigments within the foods and drinks we consume can attach to our teeth, staining them.
Unfortunately, wine contributes to the roughening process, allowing the deep red color of wine to stick to our teeth.
I know, I know, more bad news. But sadly, when it comes to teeth stains, coffee is one of the biggest culprits.
See, coffee contains tannins. This is a type of chemical compound called a polyphenol. Though beneficial to your health overall, tannins can cause color compounds to stick to your teeth.
Similar to coffee, the tannins that exist in tea – most heavily in black tea – can stain your teeth.
But with this one, I also bring some good news! Research from 2014 found that adding milk to your tea can significantly reduce its staining capabilities. [1]
Organic particles can penetrate the pores in your tooth enamel and remain there.
Pomegranates and dark berries like blueberries and blackberries carry a dark pigmentation that can infiltrate your teeth and cause staining. This is why your teeth may have a bluish hue after eating blueberries.
Regular consumption of cola can contribute to the darkening of your teeth. This is because the acidity in cola can erode your tooth enamel.
Not only can this make your teeth more susceptible to staining, but it can begin to expose the dentin of the tooth, a darker inner layer.
A study from 2012 found that both sports drinks and energy drinks contribute to the breakdown of tooth enamel, which puts the teeth at risk of staining. [2]
The study concluded that, when it came to which was worse for enamel degradation, energy drinks take the cake.
Though tomatoes are great for your health, they pose a risk to your teeth.
Not only do they help strip away your enamel due to their acidity level, tomato sauces like those found in pizza and pasta dishes are a deep red. This pigment can stick to your teeth, staining them.
These dark colored sauces also pose a risk to your pearly whites.
Similar to above, this is due to both how dark they are and how acidic they are.
No, not candy!
Actually, if the fact that candy is bad for your teeth comes as a surprise, you might already have some problems.
But this time it isn’t due to the sugar. Many candies can stain your teeth because of the dyes used for their coloring.
Well, shoot. A long list of things you probably enjoy, now with another reason you shouldn’t be consuming them.
But don’t worry! I didn’t make this list so you would stop eating these things. It’s just for you to be more mindful about how the things you eat and drink affect your teeth.
Basically, anything that can stain a white t-shirt poses a risk to your teeth.
However, there are ways to mitigate this outside of avoiding these foods.
You can…
In short, minimize the direct exposure these foods and drinks have with your teeth, and after consumption, don’t let them sit on your teeth. Even just taking a drink of water, and swishing before swallowing, can be a great help!
Collagen is a key component of your teeth, found in both the dentin and enamel layers. [3]
Additionally, research shows that collagen can support the health of your gums. [4]
If you want to help the health of your teeth from the inside out, EverBella’s highly absorbable formula can help your teeth stay strong, inhibiting the degradation of your enamel and the staining that can follow.
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