Nobody wants stained teeth. A bright smile can make you feel more confident, self-assured, and youthful. Research shows that people with white teeth are perceived by others as smarter and more socially competent. Fortunately, there are tricks and tips that help you control how white your teeth are. One of them is limiting eating foods with stain-causing tannins to every other day. Tannins are bits of acid that are attracted to the proteins in your enamel. To keep your smile pearly, avoid regular consumption of foods and drinks that are high in tannins.
Our professionals at Desoto Family Dental are committed to your smile. Teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the U.S, and we’re excited to provide you with such an in-demand treatment. Whether your stains are due to dietary habits, tobacco usage, fluorosis, or medication, we can help you boast a brilliant smile. Our in-house Zoom! treatment can whiten your smile by several shades in as little as an hour. If you prefer our at-home treatment, Nite White will brighten your smile using our patented technology. Before making an appointment, start your whitening process today by avoiding the following foods.
Avoid These Foods for Whiter Teeth
The most important part of dental care is brushing, flossing, and regularly visiting your dentist. However, if you are seeing tons of stains, reduce your intake of foods high in tannins. Avoiding these foods will help you before and after your whitening process. The earlier you start, the more habit-building the behavior becomes. Also, whitening treatment makes your teeth more absorbent, so cutting stain-causing foods for a couple days after your procedure is best for maintaining polished pearly whites.
Coffee and Tea
Surprise! Black tea stains your teeth more than coffee. They both have tannins, but tea contains more. After drinking your morning joe, rinse with water. You may be tempted to brush your teeth immediately after drinking coffee or tea, but you’re better off drinking water. Then, 20-30 minutes afterward, fortify your teeth by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste.
White Wine
Another fun fact is that white wine stains your teeth more than red, though they are both hard on your teeth. Drinking red wine will give you a temporary purple smile that may be partially permanent depending on your specific teeth. While white wine doesn’t stain your teeth per se, the high amount of tannins makes existing stains worse. Pair your wine with cheese or water to protect your teeth and keep them white.
Berries
When considering foods that stain your teeth, a good rule of thumb is: if it’s hard to get out of clothes, it’s probably hard to get out of teeth. Berries are full of antioxidants, but they also contain pigments that stick to your teeth. Eat berries in moderation and try pairing them with nuts, which generate salivation.
The Bottom Line
Life is short, so we’d hate to suggest completely cutting out your favorite food or drink. Just know the risks and drink water with each meal. Try drinking all your coffee in one sitting instead of sipping it throughout the day. The daily routine of brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist is invaluable for your dental health. Desoto Family Dental Care offers top-rated whitening programs that will give you the smile you always wanted.