Foods and Drinks That Discolour Your Teeth

Causes of Stained Teeth

When we think of that ideal bright smile we often associate it with proper oral hygiene. However, it’s not just your brushing and flossing routine that will aid healthy, white teeth. Certain foods and drinks have the potential to stain our teeth, so it’s important to keep in mind what we eat and drink to protect our pearly whites. Sometimes however, years of staining may need a professional teeth whitening session to get the shade of white you desire. Read more here about our Zoom teeth whitening service.

Here are some of the biggest culprits.

Balsamic Vinegar

It seems a little unfair that a healthy salad dressing choice could reward us with discoloured teeth, but unfortunately that is the reality with balsamic vinegar. Due to its dark colour, and its tendency to stick to teeth, this vinegar can lead to staining if it is not quickly removed. It’s not all bad news though, having it with a crunchy salad lessens the effects as the lettuce will help remove the vinegar from your teeth.

Pasta Sauce

The vivid red colour is not the only thing that has the potential to stain your teeth. Pasta sauce is also very acidic, which leaves your teeth more susceptible to stains. If you still want to enjoy tomato based pasta sauces semi-regularly, try each some dark green vegetables such as spinach, kale and broccoli beforehand as it will create a barrier that will help prevent the staining effect of the sauce.

Berries

Great for you, but not always so great for your pearly whites. Darker berries such as blackberries, raspberries, cranberries and blueberries have a higher chance of causing stains. It’s important to note that it doesn’t matter whether these are eaten whole on their own, as jams or drunk in juice form, if left in your mouth for too long the damage is the same.

Wine

Red wine drinkers will know all too well how the beverage can stain absolutely everything. It may be a surprise to know, however, that white wine can also stain your teeth. White wine is actually more acidic than red, which can damage the tooth’s enamel and lead to further staining.

Soft Drinks

Much like tea and wine, the dark compounds in dark-coloured soft drinks cause surface staining on your teeth. Over time, your tooth enamel will absorb these compounds, causing yellow or brown discolouration

Tea

As tea is heavy in tannins it has more staining agents than coffee. Black tea has the most staining power so it may be worth switching to green, white or herbal teas.

Looking to prevent stains as much as possible? The key here is moderation. Small amounts of food and drinks that are known to cause stains are okay, as long as you are taking steps to remove residue afterwards and brushing thoroughly. Rinse your mouth with water after drinks and meals and consult your dentist for further tips click here.

Updated Jan 3rd, 2019