Who doesn’t enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a soothing cup for tea in the afternoon? And of course, some people cannot survive without their morning cup of coffee. Unfortunately, these and many other foods and beverages can cause teeth staining. This is because they contain elements such as chromogens, acids or tannins. Chromogens, found in substances such as red wine, are highly pigmented. Just as they can permanently stain your carpet, they can also stain your teeth. Acids wear down your teeth over time, which increases vulnerability to stains. Tannins are found in coffee and tea, and, over time, can create a brown stain.

Does this mean that, if you want beautiful white teeth, you can’t consume these items? Fortunately, you don’t have to completely cut your favorite treats out of your diet. After all, some of these items, despite their bad effects on teeth, have other properties that make them very good for your health. Tea, for example, contains antioxidants and red wine contains resveratrol. Many other foods that stain teeth contain necessary vitamins and minerals.

Instead of eliminating these foods from your diet, you can maintain oral hygiene by limiting the quantity of these substances and replacing them with alternatives when possible. For example, you could replace red wine with white or have a cup of herbal tea instead of regular tea. You can also take extra care in cleaning your teeth. Make sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day and rinse your mouth after consuming anything that might create stains. You should also check in with your dentist at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa. Consult your dentist so that you have regularly scheduled teeth cleaning and whitening services as frequently as you need to. Here are some of the foods that most commonly cause staining to teeth that you should be aware of.

Tea And Coffee
Both of these contain tannins. Alternatives include herbal teas, or, for those who need the caffeine, sipping an iced version through a straw will help. If you absolutely must have your hot tea or coffee, however, you might try adding more milk as this can help counteract staining.

Red Wine
Unfortunately, you’ll need to limit red wine consumption if you don’t want to stain your teeth. Alternatives include white wine- or light-colored cocktails like martinis.

Cola
There are two factors involved with dark colored colas. First there is the dark coloring, which can stain teeth. Second, there is the acidity, which can wear down enamel. Sticking to lighter colored sodas and using a straw can help.

Fruit Juice
Any juice with a deep color, such as red grape juice or cranberry juice, can stain teeth. Alternatives such as white grape juice could be tried, or you can sip your juice through a straw.

Curry
The culprit here is most likely turmeric. While this is hard to avoid if you are fond take-out, if you make your curry at home, you can minimize or eliminate the turmeric. There will be a slight loss of flavor, but you’ll be much less likely to stain teeth.

Tomatoes
While very nutritious, tomatoes and tomato sauces can stain your teeth. Be mindful of your consumption and consider other vegetable substitutes.

Berries, Pomegranates and Other Dark Fruits
While delicious, these fruits are major culprits in teeth straining. Some great alternatives to still be able to enjoy these fruits are blending them into a smoothie and drinking it through a straw.

Balsamic Vinegar
This deeply pigmented substance can stain your teeth. There are white versions available, however, or you can replace this with rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.

Soy Sauce
The dark coloring can remain attached to your teeth long after your stir fry is gone.

Red Beets
These wonderful vegetables are packed with nutrients, but they easily stain anything they touch including your teeth. There are alternatives, however, for beet lovers – such as golden beets.

The Importance of Good Dental Care
While it is possible to cut down on consumption of the substances listed above, it is probably impossible to completely eliminate them. Aside from their nutritional benefits, most people don’t want to give up their favorite treat, whether it’s curry or coffee. A better approach, therefore, is to focus on good dental care. It’s essential that you schedule regular dental appointments and take proper care at home. Visit us at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa today for a dental check-up. Contact us to schedule an appointment!