Everyone wants a light, bright smile. It’s one of the first things noticed about you by others, who especially notice the color of your teeth. In fact, a recent survey from the American Dental Association revealed that 3 out of 4 people think that yellow teeth can ruin the effect of a person’s smile.
Although there are some safe and effective natural tooth whitening options, it’s probably just best to avoid the foods that cause stained and yellow teeth in the first place.
Here are 7 of the worst offenders:
Coffee
You may already know this one, but it’s worth repeating, as it’s one of the worst. If you drink coffee daily, especially black coffee, you are not only staining your teeth, you’re also not doing any favors for your breath. Add some almond or coconut milk to dilute its staining powers.
Tea
Tea is not really any better than coffee. The tannins it contains are what make tea stains so difficult to get out of your clothes and table cloths, and it’s just as difficult to get them out of your teeth. If you can’t give up your tea, try to reduce your intake of black teas and increase your intake of green and white teas, which stain less and contain more health benefits, anyways.
Red wine
Good for your health? Yes. Good for the color of your teeth? Not so much. There’s no reason to give up this healthy beverage, but try to stick to only one glass a day, substitute with white wine sometimes, and swish some water around your mouth after you drink it.
Sodas
On top of its many other offenses, darker-colored sodas, both diet and regular, will leave your teeth yellow. Give them up entirely, or switch to seltzer/carbonated water if you still feel the need to drink something bubbly.
Some juices
No matter how healthy they may be, darker-colored juices like cranberry or grape can really do a number on your pearly whites. Sip through a straw when you drink them to protect your teeth.
Curry spices
Although they’re both healthy for the body and delightful to the taste buds, the yellow, red, and brown colors of curry spices and powders can leave your teeth resembling these deep and boldly-colored spices. Be sure to rinse your mouth out with water after you enjoy a curry.
Sauces and vinegars
Most people don’t think of the condiments and sauces they use as teeth strainers, but some of these, like tomato sauce and balsamic vinegar, are big contributors to stained teeth. For vinegars, consider using a lighter-colored vinegar like rice vinegar sometimes, and consume tomato and other dark sauces in moderation.
Some general tips to avoid stained teeth:
- Swish some water around your mouth after consuming ‘staining’ foods
- Use a straw for cold or room temperature beverages
- Don’t over-brush – 2 times per day is enough.
- Incorporate more anti-staining fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, cauliflower, and celery into your diet. These gently scrub and clean your teeth while you eat them.
- Don’t smoke!
Many of these foods and drinks are healthy, so you don’t want to avoid them entirely! But if you’re trying to prevent stained teeth, just make sure you eat or drink them in moderation, and that you either rinse or brush after you enjoy.
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/photogallery/12-foods-that-stain-teeth http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/foods-that-stain-teeth
http://www.medicaldaily.com/does-tea-stain-your-teeth-6-surprising-foods-cause-yellow-teeth
