White teeth. They are on everybody’s wish list. But when you look in the mirror, you see dingy, yellowish toned teeth. You brush and floss diligently and visit your dentist every 6 months for a complete cleaning. What more can you do?
The chances are that your yellowing teeth are due, in part, to your dietary habits. Take a look at what you’re eating (and drinking) to help you have those pearly white teeth that you long for.
5 Foods to Avoid if You Want White Teeth
Berries
While berries are rich in nutrition, they are havoc on your teeth. They leave dark stains that are difficult to remove. Eat them but brush your teeth right after you consume them. Berries are healthy for your body, bad for your teeth!
Coffee and Tea
Drink coffee or tea for your morning jolt of caffeine each day? These culprits cause staining on your teeth. The acidity of each of these morning beverages attaches to the tooth enamel and wears it down. As a result, the thinning enamel appears gray or yellow.
Tomato-based Sauces and Condiments
It seems that tomatoes make the tangiest, most palate-pleasing sauces and condiments. Barbecue sauce. Ketchup. Red sauce. Cocktail sauce. The list goes on and on.
However, the acidity of tomato products causes a two-fold problem. First, tomato products stain your tooth enamel. Second, the acid causes enamel erosion.
Sugary Beverages
Switch up your sugary beverages with water to avoid tooth stains. These include:
- soda
- sports drinks
- energy drinks
- fruit juices (fruit has natural sugars)
- drinks from powdered packets
The sugar from these drinks attaches to the tooth enamel and forms a sticky substance called plaque. Then, the plaque begins to erode and thin out the enamel.
Wine
There’s nothing quite as nice as a glass of wine at the end of a long day. But wine is not kind to your teeth. While red wine causes visible staining, white wines also damage your enamel due to the acidity and sugars.
Wrap-up
You don’t need to cut your favorite foods out of your diet altogether to have white teeth. Knowing that these foods cause staining, you can take extra care to brush immediately after consumption. You can also try in-home whitening strips. Finally, remain diligent about your flossing and attending dental check-ups.
