What foods are Stain Your Teeth?
According to dentists, diet
could one of the primary reasons why your teeth change color. Tinted and
colored foods are the biggest offenders, as they tend to color teeth
slowly but permanently over time. The color in tinted food and beverages
comes from chromogens or intensely pigmented molecules. These molecules
have a tendency to latch on to dental enamel causing the color change.
Moreover, poor oral hygiene and acidic foods can also damage the enamel
on a microscopic level increasing the dental staining.
3 Foods to Avoid Stain Your Teeth
1.
Colored acidic beverages - Tea, wine, coffee, sports drinks and cola
are the primary offenders in this category. These beverages are acidic
and they etch the dental enamel surface roughening it. The rough surface
then picks up stains quickly and these stains are very difficult to
remove.
2. Sauces - Coloured sauces like soy sauce, tomato sauce,
curry sauce etc. are also deeply coloured and acidic in nature. They do
have significant staining potential but rinsing your mouth after a meal
should help in controlling the stains. You can also try to switch over
to non-coloured white sauces to decrease the staining potential.
3.
Coloured berries - Strawberries, pomegranates, blueberries etc. are
very nutritious but they contain highly coloured molecules that are very
attracted to dental enamel. These berries are also very acidic and this
can increases the stains that form on the surface of teeth. Be sure to
brush and floss to prevent permanent damage.
Preventive Steps
It
is not realistically possible to cut out all these food items from your
diet. Sip beverages like tea, coffee and cola with a straw to prevent
dental damage and rinse your mouth immediately after. Do not let
coloured food items and beverages to remain in your mouth for a long
time; instead swallow them quickly and rinse your mouth immediately. We
do recommend that you eat coloured-items in moderation and brush your
teeth immediately afterwards. If possible, switch over to neutral
coloured food items like cauliflower, grapefruit and melons to prevent
dental damage. To ensure clean and healthy teeth, we also recommend you
visit your dentist every six months. Your dentist will carry out a
procedure called a scaling and polishing which will remove superficial
stains and polish the dental enamel surface to remove the acid-induced
roughness. Doctor will suggest you which oral care products are best
ones for you and your family.