A smile that is stained, yellow, or dingy-looking can make a person look much older than they are and can negatively affect his or her self-esteem. What many people aren’t aware of is that some of the foods or beverages they regularly consume may be leading to a less-than-brilliant smile. While a tooth whitening treatment is a great way to brighten your grin, it’s a good idea to avoid these smile-staining foods in the first place.
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Coffee – a well-known offender, coffee can sink into the teeth. Its dark color quality can make it a tough opponent for white teeth. But fear not, a little bit of milk or something to lighten the color can minimize the chance of staining.
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Beets – Beet juice, which is concentrated, is especially dangerous for light fabric, which of course means the same for teeth. If you eat beets, try to brush your teeth within an hour to reduce their potential to stain your teeth.
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Soy Sauce- Just like dark beverages, dark sauces can also stain your teeth. In fact, some dentists recommend that patients remember that a food that can stain their clothes can also stain their teeth. Other sauces to watch out for include tomato sauce and balsamic vinegar.
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Red Wine– another obvious danger, red wine can stain teeth due to its color. While it may reduce gum inflammation and thus diminish the potential for gum disease, it can also stain the teeth. Try opting for white wine instead, or swishing some water in your mouth after drinking red.
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Fruit juices– Yellowed teeth can be caused by drinking juices that contain a lot of acid. Of course, fruit juices will fall under this category, so try to minimize the acid consumption.
For more information on keeping your teeth healthy and white, please contact Dr. Glaser at his Cortlandt Manor office or stop by for a visit!