In this article, we talk about foods and drinks that stain your teeth and discuss cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening, that can help improve the appearance of your teeth.
Foods and Drinks That Stain Your Teeth
Foods and drinks that can stain your teeth, especially if consumed consistently, include:
- Red wine
- Black coffee and tea
- Brightly colored spices, such as curry, red paprika, and
- turmeric
- Dark berries
- Fruit juices
- Candies and drinks that contain artificial dyes
- Beetroot and carrots
- Tomato sauces
- Soy sauce and balsamic vinegar
If you consume staining foods or drinks, we recommend rinsing your mouth or brushing your teeth immediately after the meal to prevent staining particles from lingering on your teeth.
What to Do if Your Teeth Become Stained
If you notice stains and discoloration on your teeth, we recommend exploring the following options:
Improve Your Daily Oral Hygiene
In some cases, teeth might appear discolored due to plaque accumulation on their surface. We recommend starting by improving your daily oral hygiene by following these tips:
- Brush your teeth for two full minutes twice a day.
- Opt for fluoride toothpaste as fluoride remineralizes and strengthens enamel.
- Floss every evening.
- Add a water flosser to your routine as a supplementary step to remove plaque and food residue more effectively. You can also use it to rinse your mouth after meals, especially if you consume staining foods and drinks.
Schedule a Professional Cleaning and Fluoride Treatment
Some surface stains and discoloration can be removed during a professional dental cleaning. Not only does a professional cleaning remove all plaque and tartar from your teeth, but it also polishes them. Both of these steps of the procedure can enhance the appearance of your smile.
Professional fluoride treatments remineralize the enamel, making it stronger, healthier, and more resilient to bacteria.
Apart from cosmetic benefits, professional cleanings and fluoride treatments improve your overall oral health, and healthy teeth and gums always look better, even if not completely white.
Consider Teeth Whitening
Natural teeth typically do not look perfectly white, and it is perfectly normal and does not necessarily require a whitening procedure. It is much more important that your teeth are healthy and the enamel is strong. However, if you have deep stains or mild to severe discoloration, teeth whitening can help improve your confidence by boosting the appearance of your smile.
During this procedure, your doctor will use a bleaching solution (typically containing hydrogen peroxide) to remove the dark pigment from deeper layers of your teeth’s enamel. An in-office whitening procedure can make your teeth up to 8 shades whiter in just one visit.
Remember that teeth whitening is only safe when done by a professional cosmetic dentist, and using over-the-counter whitening solutions can lead to irreversible enamel damage.
Dental Veneers and Bonding for Deep Stains and Discoloration
Some types of stains can not be removed with a whitening procedure. In this case, consider dental veneers or bonding.
Dental bonding is typically used to cover those parts of the tooth that require alteration, while a veneer covers the entire front side of a tooth. Dental veneers tend to last longer than bonding, but also require more extensive tooth preparation.
Make an Appointment at My Dentist Upland
If you are concerned with teeth staining or discoloration, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced cosmetic dentist at My Dentist Upland. At our office, we will carefully examine the condition of your teeth to choose an optimal course of action to accommodate your goals and needs.