Are your pearly whites lacking the luster they once had? Are you missing your whiter smile and now see dingy or yellow stains in its place?
Teeth become stained as we age. And there are some common foods which speed up the process.
So before you start your day with your favorite black coffee or pop a handful of ripe blueberries in your mouth, consider how your favorite foods may be affecting your teeth.
If you want a whiter smile, here are some foods you should avoid (or at least lighten up on).
I like it black, please
Any amount of coffee can stain your teeth. And drinking black coffee can stain them even more. If you love your coffee, consider adding a little milk to it to lighten it up. Then swish your mouth with water after drinking.
Skip the coffee. I’ll take tea
Though you may skip on the coffee, black teas can easily stain your teeth as well. Instead of giving up tea altogether, green, white or herbal teas are good alternatives.
A glass of wine with my meal
Though wine is said to be relaxing, the acid in it wears away the enamel of your teeth making your teeth more vulnerable to stains.
To keep stains at bay, be sure to brush your teeth immediately after drinking wine.
I need my power berries
Berries like blueberries and blackberries are loaded with antioxidants and essential nutrients. Even though they’re good for your overall health, their deep blue hue can stain your teeth.
Instead of chomping down on a handful of ripe ones, try adding them to a smoothie and drinking with a straw.
More sauce, please
Dark sauces like soy can easily leave their mark on your teeth. And tomato sauce, which is extremely acidic, can leave your teeth more susceptible to stains.
Use soy sauces sparingly to avoid stains. And try adding broccoli or spinach to tomato sauce to act as a protective barrier, lessening your chances of getting a stain.
I’ll just have a snack
When choosing a snack, choose wisely. Brightly colored or tinged yellow refined carbs like cookies, crackers, white bread, and other processed foods not only stain your teeth–they can cause cavities too.
Try to avoid processed foods and opt for fruit as a snack.
Keep it spicy
Though flavorful, curry’s intense color can leave its mark on your teeth. Curry powder sticks to your teeth and causes the surface to change.
Be sure to brush or rinse right after eating foods with curry.
Maintain a whiter smile
Over the counter products and do-it-yourself remedies can help in brightening your smile. You have to be cautious, though. If used incorrectly, some products and methods can damage the enamel on your teeth.
Regular visits to your dentist, along with professional teeth whitening services, can more safely brighten your teeth for a whiter smile.
As a young boy, Dr. Arnold knew he wanted to be a dentist. Dr. E.I. Scrivner, Jr. was a family friend. And, getting to know him led young Fred to fall in love with the profession. Dr. Arnold is now recognized as one of the leading cosmetic dentists in the country. He’s accredited in cosmetic dentistry and a former Chairman of Accreditation for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Arnold is a former member of the United States Air Force. He and his wife, Holly, live in Lexington, Kentucky where they’re raising their three daughters.
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