Watch Out For: Foods That Stain Your Teeth
What is causing the problem?
According to dentists, diet could one of the primary reasons why your teeth change colour. Tinted and coloured foods are the biggest offenders, as they tend to colour teeth slowly but permanently over time. The colour in tinted food and beverages comes from chromogens or intensely pigmented molecules. These molecules have a tendency to latch on to dental enamel causing the colour change. Moreover, poor oral hygiene and acidic foods can also damage the enamel on a microscopic level increasing the dental staining.
Foods to avoid
1.Coloured acidic beverages - Tea, wine, coffee, sports drinks and cola are the primary offenders in this category. These beverages are acidic and they etch the dental enamel surface roughening it. The rough surface then picks up stains quickly and these stains are very difficult to remove.
2.Sauces - Coloured sauces like soy sauce, tomato sauce, curry sauce etc. are also deeply coloured and acidic in nature. They do have significant staining potential but rinsing your mouth after a meal should help in controlling the stains. You can also try to switch over to non-coloured white sauces to decrease the staining potential.
3.Coloured berries - Strawberries, pomegranates, blueberries etc. are very nutritious but they contain highly coloured molecules that are very attracted to dental enamel. These berries are also very acidic and this can increases the stains that form on the surface of teeth. Be sure to brush and floss to prevent permanent damage.
Preventive steps
It is not realistically possible to cut out all these food items from your diet. Sip beverages like tea, coffee and cola with a straw to prevent dental damage and rinse your mouth immediately after. Do not let coloured food items and beverages to remain in your mouth for a long time; instead swallow them quickly and rinse your mouth immediately. We do recommend that you eat coloured-items in moderation and brush your teeth immediately afterwards. If possible, switch over to neutral coloured food items like cauliflower, grapefruit and melons to prevent dental damage. To ensure clean and healthy teeth, we also recommend you visit your dentist every six months. Your dentist will carry out a procedure called a scaling and polishing which will remove superficial stains and polish the dental enamel surface to remove the acid-induced roughness.
According to dentists, diet could one of the primary reasons why your teeth change colour. Tinted and coloured foods are the biggest offenders, as they tend to colour teeth slowly but permanently over time. The colour in tinted food and beverages comes from chromogens or intensely pigmented molecules. These molecules have a tendency to latch on to dental enamel causing the colour change. Moreover, poor oral hygiene and acidic foods can also damage the enamel on a microscopic level increasing the dental staining.
Foods to avoid
1.Coloured acidic beverages - Tea, wine, coffee, sports drinks and cola are the primary offenders in this category. These beverages are acidic and they etch the dental enamel surface roughening it. The rough surface then picks up stains quickly and these stains are very difficult to remove.
2.Sauces - Coloured sauces like soy sauce, tomato sauce, curry sauce etc. are also deeply coloured and acidic in nature. They do have significant staining potential but rinsing your mouth after a meal should help in controlling the stains. You can also try to switch over to non-coloured white sauces to decrease the staining potential.
3.Coloured berries - Strawberries, pomegranates, blueberries etc. are very nutritious but they contain highly coloured molecules that are very attracted to dental enamel. These berries are also very acidic and this can increases the stains that form on the surface of teeth. Be sure to brush and floss to prevent permanent damage.
Preventive steps
It is not realistically possible to cut out all these food items from your diet. Sip beverages like tea, coffee and cola with a straw to prevent dental damage and rinse your mouth immediately after. Do not let coloured food items and beverages to remain in your mouth for a long time; instead swallow them quickly and rinse your mouth immediately. We do recommend that you eat coloured-items in moderation and brush your teeth immediately afterwards. If possible, switch over to neutral coloured food items like cauliflower, grapefruit and melons to prevent dental damage. To ensure clean and healthy teeth, we also recommend you visit your dentist every six months. Your dentist will carry out a procedure called a scaling and polishing which will remove superficial stains and polish the dental enamel surface to remove the acid-induced roughness.
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