Over time, have you noticed your smile taking on a yellow-ish tinge? Dental discoloration is one of the most common cosmetic flaws that patients seek treatment for. While staining is a natural part of wear-and-tear on your smile and aging, there are some ways to minimize how quickly it occurs. Limiting the amount of discoloring foods and beverages you consume can be a great way to maintain a brighter smile, especially after you invest in teeth whitening in DuPont. Read on to learn more about the science behind how foods and drinks can stain teeth so you can keep your smile radiant!
What Foods & Drinks Can Cause Teeth to Stain?
There are a number of foods and beverages that can cause teeth to discolor due to either eroding the enamel, which reveals the yellow-ish dentin underneath, or because of tannins. These include:
- Tomato-based items
- Balsamic vinegar
- Curries
- Black tea and coffee
- Fruit juices
- Soy sauce
- Certain berries
- Beets
- Red wine
While it’s unrealistic to completely eliminate these foods from your diet, limiting your intake could help keep your smile brighter for longer, especially after you invest in teeth whitening.
The Science Behind Dental Discoloration
So, how exactly do teeth become discolored just by drinking a beverage like coffee every day or regularly eating curry? The science isn’t as complicated as you may think. The foods in the list above all have one thing in common, that they’re high in tannins, which are molecules found in plans that give foods and beverages, like red wine and blackberries, their vibrant colors.
One of the main ways that tannins can lead to dental discoloration is by attaching themselves to the plaque on your teeth, which is a combination of saliva and food debris, like carbs and sugars. Because of this, discoloring plaque also causes decay. As a result, the plaque and tartar that hardens along your gumline can cause your teeth to appear yellow.
How Can You Treat Stained Teeth?
The best way to prevent staining from becoming worse is to regularly visit your dentist for routine cleanings every six months. During your appointment, your dental hygienist will clear away all plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth and along your gumline, not only helping keep your teeth whiter, but also preventing cavities and other oral health issues from arising.
After your cleaning, you can opt for take-home professional teeth whitening. This is a customized kit that can brighten your smile by up to eight shades in as little as two weeks. All that’s required of you is to fill your trays with whitening gel and wear them each day for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on your dentist’s instructions.
To help maintain your hard-earned results, be sure to remain mindful of consuming stain-causing foods and beverages, and don’t hesitate to visit your cosmetic dentist routinely for touch-up whitening treatments!
About the Practice
At DuPont Family Dentistry, our team is comprised of two highly skilled cosmetic dentists, Drs. John Ludu and Rhenu Sharma. With decades of experience under their belts and a commitment to using the latest and greatest products available to them, our dentists can offer fantastic, highly noticeable teeth whitening results. For questions or to schedule a consultation to learn more, visit DuPont Family Dentistry’s website or call 253-964-7000.