How Can Foods and Drinks Stain Teeth?

If you are like most people, having that morning cup of coffee is a necessity. Not only does it wake you up, but it gives you the energy you need to start the day. Unfortunately, it can also leave behind stains and discoloration that can cause you to feel less confident in your appearance over time. No matter your reason for pursuing a healthier, brighter smile, you may want to rethink that cup of coffee or afternoon soda. Read on to learn how certain foods and drinks can negatively impact your smile and how teeth whitening in Wylie can bring it back to life.

Tooth Stains and Your Diet: What You Should Know

Coffee, soda, tea, wine, berries, soy sauce – these are just a few of the many foods and beverages you might enjoy, but if you are looking to keep your teeth shining bright, you may want to limit or avoid them altogether. Why? Here’s a brief explanation:

Tannins, which are organic compounds that give various foods and drink their bitter taste and color, interact with sugars, carbohydrates, proteins, and enzymes that coat your tooth enamel and can cause cavities to form. Tannins also mix with chromogens, which are also responsible for enhancing color, causing tooth discoloration and stains.

This is why many dentists recommend avoiding tooth-staining foods and beverages as much as possible if you want to avoid sporting a dull, yellowed smile.

Ways to Prevent Teeth Discoloration

It’s not always easy making changes to your diet, but the truth is that there are many things you can do to prevent stains and maintain a healthier, more beautiful, and stain-free smile. Some helpful tips you might consider include:

• Adding cream or milk to your coffee to weaken tannins. You should be careful of this, however, as adding sugars of any kind to your coffee or tea can make you more susceptible to a breakdown of your tooth enamel, resulting in cavities.
• Using a straw to consume your darkly pigmented beverages, as it will reduce the contact between your teeth and the liquid.
• Talk to your cosmetic dentist in Wylie about teeth whitening solutions that can blast away surface stains and those deep down inside your teeth. Professional take-home kits can be provided, offering dramatic results in as little as two weeks.

By making small changes to the way you eat or drink certain foods or beverages can make a big difference in how bright your smile appears. If you want to learn more ways to avoid stains and discoloration, don’t be afraid to talk to a member of your dental team today.

About the Author
Dr. Roger Morton is a trusted dentist in Wylie who has nearly two decades of experience in the field of dentistry. Pursuing a doctorate at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, he leads a team at Wylie Family Dentistry, providing patients with proven solutions to improve, enhance, and restore their smiles. Whether it is decayed or broken teeth or smiles that are plagued by years of stains and discoloration, Dr. Morton can provide general, restorative, and cosmetic solutions that are safe, effective, and ensure long-lasting results. If you are looking to do something about your teeth stains, contact us at (972) 442-5599.