Many people get embarrassed because of their discolored teeth. Did you know that many of your favorite foods and beverages can lead to tooth discoloration? There are certain foods that you should avoid to prevent stained teeth, including sugary snacks and some beverages. It’s necessary to understand the various types of discoloration to get the right treatment.
- Extrinsic Discoloration vs. Intrinsic Discoloration
- Generally, there are two types of tooth discoloration.
Extrinsic Tooth Discoloration - This refers to tooth stains and discoloration that affect the exterior layer of the teeth. Common reasons for extrinsic discoloration are foods and drinks like tea, coffee, wine, sauce, berries
Intrinsic Tooth Discoloration - This refers to tooth stains and discoloration that affect the inner structure of the tooth. These stains may result from taking certain medications, fluorosis, trauma or root canal.
[Also Read: 7 Tips to Painlessly Pull a Loose Tooth]
Top Foods That Cause Tooth Discoloration
Here is a list of common foods that will lead to staining of your teeth:
- Coffee: Since your teeth are porous, they absorb the coffee stains readily. Especially if you consume black coffee immediately after brushing your teeth. Adding milk or creamer to your coffee will lighten it and will decrease the chances of teeth discoloration.
- Tea: It contains tannins and other substances like theaflavins and thearubigins that can discolor your teeth more than coffee. Green tea may contain a lot more tannins. The stronger the tea infusion, the more stain-producing they are.
- Wine: Both red and white wines have acids that erode the calcium and phosphate in your teeth. This results in weaker enamel and a higher risk of cavity and sensitivity as well as teeth discoloration. White wine is, in fact, more acidic than red wine.
- Tomato Sauce: It can quickly stain your teeth, so it’s better to consider creamier, light-colored sauces instead. To get the health benefits of tomatoes, consume a vegetable salad before having your main meal. Greens in your salads will prevent staining by coating your teeth with a thin film.
- Soda Drinks: You may already know that soda drinks have multiple health risk, but there's another addition to the list. Soda beverages contain acid and sugar that cause teeth stains. The best substitute for soda is water.
- Berries: Darker berries like, blueberries and cherries and some fruits with dark shades such as pomegranates can discolor your teeth. Since their antioxidants properties make them beneficial for you, consume them as a smoothie by mixing them with yogurt or milk.
- Curry: Curry, with their strong and intense coloring, can leave behind significant stains on your teeth. When eating curry, consider combining it with fresh fruits and vegetables including apples, carrots, cauliflower, and celery that help inhibit teeth stains.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Balsamic vinegar can also stain your teeth due to its dark color. Its acid content may boost teeth discoloration from other foods as well. To check teeth staining, consume raw veggies with balsamic vinegar, but make sure to brush right afterward for best outcomes.
- Dark juices: While juices of grapes and cranberries can help you with your daily intake of fruits, they are natural sources of dark colored pigments. They also contain acid, which is known for staining the teeth. You can avoid teeth stains by drinking light color juices instead, like apple juice.
- Popsicles: You are most likely to stain your teeth if you eat dark colored popsicles. Most popsicles, including the lighter ones, contain both sugar and acids that can harm teeth enamel to cause problems including tooth decay.
Now that you are aware of foods that cause tooth discoloration, plan a regular visit to your dentist for checkups and cleanings to avoid teeth stains.
