Ever wondered how you can maintain a pearly, white smile - without whitening your teeth on a regular basis? It’s very normal for teeth to naturally become stained or discoloured over time. However, for some, this can cause us to be self-conscious or lose confidence in our smile.
The biggest contributor to tooth stains is the food and drink you’re consuming. There are certain types of foods that stain the teeth — if you frequently include these foods in your meals or diet, you’re more likely to develop stains on your teeth over time.
To help you avoid teeth stains (and maintain a clean, bright smile), we’ve put together a list of the foods that may stain teeth so you can either avoid them altogether, or take the time to rinse your mouth, and then brush (normally at least 30-40 minutes after eating or drinking)!
How can food stain your teeth?
There are two types of teeth stains — extrinsic and intrinsic.
Extrinsic teeth staining happens when the outermost surface layer of the teeth (enamel) becomes discoloured. This type of staining does not last long and can usually be removed with good oral hygiene - regular brushing and flossing.
Intrinsic teeth staining happens deeper inside the teeth, beyond the dentin layer. Intrinsic stains are considered to be somewhat permanent, as they are more difficult to remove. The stain has developed inside of the tooth, rather than on the outside.
Food and drinks that stain the teeth can cause both extrinsic and intrinsic staining. Some foods have a greater ability to cause intrinsic staining due to the chemical composition of these substances.
Over time, intrinsic staining is more of a risk as the enamel layer of teeth will naturally wear down. Whether due to age or consuming acidic foods, loss of enamel will reveal more of the layer of dentin underneath, resulting in intrinsic staining.
Acidic foods that stain teeth
Foods that are more acidic in nature can wear down the enamel layer and cause the pores of the teeth to open, which makes teeth more prone to staining. Examples of acidic foods that stain the teeth include red wine, carbonated drinks, and sour fruits like lemons, grapefruits, and pineapples.
Teeth-staining foods to avoid
Foods that are rich in colour - whether due to a high spice content or artificial colouring - are considered high-staining foods. You can usually determine whether a food will stain your teeth if it’s a food that will stain clothing. Think tomato sauce, beetroot, dark chocolate, curry spices (turmeric, saffron) and balsamic vinegar.
Drinks/beverages that can stain teeth
Drinks with certain chemicals can also stain your teeth — coffee, tea, energy drinks, and red wine are some of the usual suspects. Coffee and tea both contain tannins, a naturally occurring chemical that causes colours to stick to teeth.
How to prevent teeth staining when eating
Excluding the staining foods above from your diet is the most sure-fire way to prevent teeth staining. Of course, this may not be completely realistic for everyone — you can choose to limit certain staining foods instead of avoiding them outright.
Rinsing your mouth with water right after you eat staining foods, and brushing (at least 30-40 minutes after eating staining foods) will help to prevent stains from setting into your teeth. Using a straw can also help to reduce the exposure of staining drinks to the front teeth.
Are food stains on teeth permanent?
Intrinsic staining on the teeth can be permanent — this type of staining is extremely difficult to remove, even with whitening toothpaste.
Extrinsic staining, on the other hand, can usually be removed easily with regular brushing and good dental habits.
How can food stains on teeth be removed?
For food stains that don’t go away with regular brushing, teeth whitening can reverse discolouration on teeth.
Teeth whitening treatments are available in the form of at-home treatments . At-home treatments will involve the application of teeth whitening gel (provided in trays by a dentist) onto the teeth over a period of a few days. They also work to remove discolouration to produce a whiter teeth appearance.
Teeth can still become stained even after whitening treatment has been applied, which is why dentists advise patients that have recently undergone teeth whitening to avoid foods that can result in stains.
If you are looking for a way to brighten up your smile and remove persistent stains from your teeth, Bluff Point Dental offers teeth whitening treatments in Geraldton, WA that can completely transform your smile and give you greater confidence in your appearance. Get in touch with us today to find out more about our teeth whitening treatments!
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