Did you know that even if you consistently brush and floss your teeth, they can become discolored over time? Prolonged or repeated exposure to darkly pigmented foods and drinks can leave them looking dull and drab. Thankfully, if you’re feeling self-conscious about your lackluster grin, your dentist can brighten it with professional whitening services.
Once you’ve achieved your ideal shade, it’s natural to want to do everything you can to maintain the results. Understanding more about how certain ingredients stain your teeth can help you make decisions that keep them looking bright for longer. Continue reading to learn more!
Why Do Some Foods Stain My Teeth?
Although your teeth seem completely smooth and solid to the naked eye, their surface is covered with microscopic pores. That means their surfaces are full of tiny grooves and ridges that can absorb different substances from your mouth.
If you’ve ever had a particularly strong cup of coffee or tea or just finished a glass of red wine, you might notice that your teeth and gums look a little darker immediately afterward. That’s because these drinks contain tannins, which are a group of organic compounds found in some plants that give them their bitter flavor. These tinted particles bond to proteins, carbs, and sugars in your saliva and cling to the outermost layer of your pearly whites.
Other foods like cherries, curry, and soy sauce contain chromogen, another naturally occurring dye that’s responsible for their hue. Tannins also interact with these particles to do double the damage regarding dental discoloration.
How Can I Keep My Teeth Bright?
You may not be able or willing to avoid dark foods altogether; after all, having that cup of coffee in the morning really sets the tone for your day. Instead, you can take precautions to mitigate their impact to maintain your sparkling smile.
Some helpful tips include:
- Brush and floss twice daily. A consistent at-home dental routine removes plaque buildup, leaving less residue for dark ingredients to cling to.
- Add dairy. Adding cream or milk to your tea and coffee weakens the tannins, so they’re less likely to discolor anything.
- Schedule regular checkups. Seeing your dentist every 6 months allows them to spot and fix any areas of concern before they can progress. Plus, they’ll polish away surface stains after professionally cleaning your teeth.
If you’re still struggling to keep your grin looking shiny and bright, the best next step is to schedule a consultation with your dentist!
About the Author
Dr. Colin Holman is a second-generation dentist with years of experience helping families build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. He attended the University of Oklahoma where he earned his undergraduate degree, and then achieved his DDS at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. Now, he offers a full range of services to patients of all ages conveniently under one roof, including cosmetic services like teeth whitening. He combines a safe and relaxing atmosphere with advanced dental technology to enhance your comfort while increasing the accuracy of treatment results. If you’re frustrated by a stained grin, you can request a consultation on the website or call (405) 735-6600.
