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Alpha Dental Care is a family dentist located in Milton, Ontario. We know that there are often many questions when it comes to choosing a dentist or simply having general questions. Our blog is meant as a place to educate and hopefully answer questions related to family dentistry, children's dentistry, orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry.
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Foods That Stain Your Teeth

Foods That Affect the Color of Your Teeth

There is hardly a more tempting and admirable thing than a table laden with an abundance of delicacies, fruits, veggies, and sweets. During moments like this few of us think about dangers hiding behind this beautiful setting.

 

These appetizing colors are pigments that cause our teeth to lose color. Besides, most of this food stuff is highly acidic, and acids obliterate dental enamel, weaken its structure, and make it more susceptible to staining and decay. Here is the price we pay: most of the products we take on a daily basis are as delicious as they are harmful for our teeth.

If you are wondering if the food you are looking at can stain your teeth, please, remember: everything that can stain your table cloth, carpet, dress, etc., can stain your teeth!

Foods That Stain Our Teeth

  • Fruit juice, no matter how sweet and savory it is, poses a degree of danger to the good looks off your teeth. It contains natural acids that destroy the tooth enamel. Second, the pigment is right there waiting to land on the weakened spot and soak into it. Carbohydrates are a great food for bacteria, which cause further decay. This refers to most berries as well.
  • Coffee and tea contain tannins, which are responsible for the ugly color of your teeth. Also, these drinks are acidic and harm the enamel.
  • Some sticky candies are extremely dangerous for your teeth. Being very rich in sugar, they stick to and between your teeth and attract bacteria to these areas. This results in discoloration and tooth decay.
  • Cut down on sodas, because they are very acidic and therefore dangerous for your teeth. If you cannot drop it right away, use a straw while drinking it. This will help you avoid direct contact between the drink and the teeth.
  • Beetroots are among the healthiest veggies ever: they are rich in fiber and vitamins, which are must-have ingredients for our bodies. There is just one bad thing about them: they can stain your teeth pretty much. Please, use your toothbrush right after eating one!
  • Red wine is among the staining agents too. It contains tannins and flavonoids, which attack enamel and make it vulnerable to stains. Happily, most of us do not take too much of it (this refers to those who are not addicted).
  • Ice pops can pretty much stain your smile because they contain acidic fruit juice and a good deal of sugar. 
  • Lemon, lime, and other citruses are extremely acidic. You can feel its influence when you bite on a slice and have that gritty sensation. This is what the process of the erosion of enamel feels like! Therefore, if you appreciate citruses, brush your teeth right after eating or neutralize it otherwise.
  • When you consider adding a bit of tomato juice to your meal, this is just another case to recall the good old truth: what stains your table cloth can just as well stain your teeth!
  • If you favor spices like curry, you should know that it will charge a fee of whiteness from your teeth too. 
  • Balsamic vinegar is very dark and sticky, so please, think twice when you decide to supplement your salad with it next time.

What you have just read does not mean you must quit on these delicious products right away. Please, don’t! Some of them have very healthy properties, so enjoy your meal! Just don’t forget to use your toothbrush and toothpaste.

 

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