Don’t underestimate the power of a bright smile. When we look good, we feel good, and a smile can represent that. Feeling content with our smiles could give us the confidence we need during a job interview, and can even help us feel self-assured when we finally approach our crush and ask for a date. With this in mind, we want to avoid teeth stains at all costs. There are many food items we can cut back on to prevent teeth staining and frequent dental expenses. You might even be shocked by some of the food items listed below (most of the stains on your pearly whites can be avoided by something as simple as changing your salad dressing).
WebMD claims that when teeth begin to turn different colors, that means the enamel is eroding and cavities are on the way. To fight this, keep reading for some tips on keeping your teeth stain- and cavity-free.
1. Tea
If you limited your coffee intake and started drinking tea for the sake of your choppers, I’m sorry to tell you that tea will stain your teeth as well. In fact, according to Crest, an oral care company, black tea can stain your teeth more than coffee.
Tannins are a brown and yellow acidic substance found in plants that are used to make coffee and tea. The buildup of tannins on teeth is what causes discoloration. And unfortunately, every type of tea can cause staining on your teeth.
2. Tomato-Based Sauces
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Tomatoes are highly acidic and their color is intense. Women’s Health Magazine stated that because of their high acidity, tomatoes can cause enamel erosion. With weak enamel, bright colors will easily stain teeth and as we all know, tomatoes can be robust with color.
3. LemonsÂ
Considering all the beneficial properties a lemon has, it’s disheartening to hear that lemons can stain teeth. The acidity in lemons is high and just like with tomatoes, it will slowly dissolve the enamel on our teeth (especially if you’re drinking lemon water daily). The lack of enamel on your pearly whites, along with the bright color of lemons, can thus cause discoloration.
4. Soy SauceÂ
According to Everyday Health, because soy sauce’s dark coloring is highly saturated, it can stain your teeth just as it would your t-shirt. Be mindful of this when using soy sauce while cooking and make sure to use it delicately.
5. Jelly/Jam
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Your morning routine may never be the same. The fruit that’s in the jelly or jam you’re using can potentially stain your teeth. As stated by WebMD, all fruits with bold colors —  blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, cherries — contain high acidic levels. Again, acid weakens enamel, causing the fruit’s colors to easily attach to your pearly whites.
6. Sports Drinks
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Leslie Ehlen, a researcher from The University of Iowa School of Dentistry, told WebMD, “I don’t think everybody realizes how erosive these things are, especially Gatorade.” Sugar is highly responsible for teeth erosion and sports drinks contain high amounts of sugar and acid. The acid in sports drinks irritates the enamel on teeth and their potent colors linger on.
7. Balsamic Vinegar
To steer clear of brown teeth, consider using a salad dressing that is not balsamic vinegarette. A 2010 study mentioned on Prevention stated that as high as 84.7% of the participating teens who consumed vinegar-based foods showed signs of dental erosion. Vinegar is an acetic acid, one that’s often used to pickle food items. The dark color and acidic components of balsamic vinegar is, unfortunately, a definite formula for stained teeth.
8. Hard Candy
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Not a shocker. We all know candy is not the best for dental health. But on top of cavities, hard candy can stain teeth. The sugar in candy is prone to start eroding tooth enamel, and chewing hard candy can make that erosion happen faster. On AZ Family Dental, it says that the erosion, combined with candy’s artificial flavoring, makes the enamel more susceptible to staining.
9. Energy Drinks
A sip of an energy drink fills your mouth with liquid energy, but unfortunately, according to NPR, it also puts citric acid on our teeth. NPR continues to state that 30 to 50 percent of people drinking energy drinks are losing enamel. And when you consider the how colorful energy drinks can be, you can imagine that this is not a great combo. Â Weak enamel + colorful foods and drinks = teeth staining.
If you refuse to give these food items up, I don’t blame you. With this in mind, here’s what you can do to prevent staining: After eating a food item or drinking a beverage that will stain your choppers, quickly rinse your mouth. Rinse your mouth with water, milk, or an antibacterial mouthwash to get whatever’s on your teeth out.
