Foods that Stain the Teeth

Certain foods and beverages have been used for centuries as natural dyeing agents for cloth and other materials. Tea, berries and other substances can dye your teeth as easily as they can dye fabrics, however. Although rich browns and pastel yellows might be an attractive color for silks and fabrics, they are simply not attractive on your teeth. If you have stains or discolorations, our cosmetic dentist in North Hollywood can help.

You can often avoid substance-related discolorations by avoiding staining foods, beverages and habits, including:

• Smoking 
• Coffee 
• Tea 
• Wine 
• Berries 
• Soft drinks 
• Energy drinks 
• Juice 
• Curries 
• Soy sauce

Avoiding extremely hot foods and beverages can may be able to reduce your risk of stains because heat opens the pores of your enamel, which allows stains to penetrate more deeply. Acidic foods can also lead to deeper stains, which is why energy drinks and soft drinks are primary offenders when it comes to stained teeth.

Once the colors have accumulated on your teeth and penetrated the enamel, brushing alone will not remove them. Professional whitening treatments may be recommended. Teeth whitening treatments use peroxide to eliminate most common stains and restore your white smile.

Although you may be unable to prevent all stains, avoiding staining foods and habits can help reduce the amount of staining you experience. Good brushing and flossing habits can also help reduce stains. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and floss once a day for the best results. Contact our expert in teeth whitening in North Hollywood to learn more or to schedule your next appointment.