5 Foods that Might Be Staining Your Teeth

Do you feel like your once-radiant smile has lost its luster lately? It may be because certain foods that you eat have been staining your teeth!

There are a number of foods — both healthy and unhealthy — that can totally alter the coloring of your teeth when they’re consumed in excess. Even if you brush twice a day without fail and see your dentist twice a year for routine cleanings, your smile isn’t necessarily safe from the staining effects of some of the more colorful sauces, fruits, drinks, and dressings.

Read on to learn which foods you should be wary of and what you can do to keep them from staining your teeth.

Berries

Berries are low in calories, yet full of vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and more, so you’d think you would be in the clear to eat as many as you’d like…but that’s only true if you don’t mind your teeth becoming discolored.

The deep reds, blues, and purples of cherries, blueberries, blackberries, and similar fruits can wind up transferring to your teeth if you eat them in excess. Don’t let that deter you from a healthy and delicious treat, though. Just be sure to drink some water afterwards to wash it all down.

Balsamic Vinegar

If you’ve been avoiding high-fat creamy dressings in favor of some balsamic vinegar in order to save on calories, you should know that you may be staining your teeth in the process.

Balsamic vinegar is healthy and it tastes great, but that deep dark color doesn’t get along well with clean white teeth. It is also acidic, which can weaken enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to staining.

Fortunately, the green veggies in your salad can add a protective layer of film, which can work to prevent discoloration. Even so, it’s never a bad idea to wash your mouth out with water after eating balsamic vinegar.

Pasta Sauce

Pasta sauce is another acidic food with a lot of pigment in it that can do a number on your bright white smile. If you’ve ever seen what it does to T-shirts and Tupperware, you shouldn’t be surprised.

Fortunately, drinking water to wash away the coloring or milk to neutralize the acids can help to prevent the staining effects of pasta sauce.

Soy Sauce

A soy sauce spill will do a number on your table cloth, and the same is true for your teeth. This deeply colored, highly concentrated liquid may go well with your sushi, but it will not go well with your smile. Use it in moderation in order to avoid its staining effects.

Drinks

Liquids have a much easier time when it comes to coating your teeth and transferring their pigmentation, so be wary of a number of different drinks that are known for their staining capabilities.

Tea and coffee are some of the biggest culprits, as they are filled with stain-causing tannins. So is wine, which is perhaps the most well-known of all teeth stainers. Another drink to avoid is soda, which will not only stain your teeth, but can cause them to rot rather quickly.

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