What do you do when your pearly whites aren’t so white anymore? Though there are several treatments for teeth whitening in Greenville, SC, dentists believe that prevention is still better than cure.
You may be wondering why your teeth are stained and yellowed even if you have good oral hygiene. Your local Greenville, SC dentist says that yellowing teeth can be a result of bad oral hygiene or a particular health condition. The truth is: it is usually the food you eat that discolors your teeth.
Tea
Most people drink tea in the morning not knowing that this healthy beverage may not be a good option if you want to maintain white teeth. The black variety causes more discoloration than coffee and even the white and herbal teas cause stains, too. Tea wears down the enamel (the outer covering of the tooth) and makes it more prone to yellowing.
Fruits
Fruits with vibrant colors like blackberries, cherries, pomegranates, and blueberries, also cause teeth stains. This is because fruits have acid that also affect the enamel of the teeth. Fruit juices and baked goods made from these fruits can also discolor the teeth.
Sauces
Like vibrant fruits, sauces in deep colors like tomato sauce, soy sauce, and curry sauce can cause teeth stains. If you like sauces and dips, then you can switch to those with lighter colors or just brush your teeth after eating.
Wine
Whether red or white, drinking wine can stain your teeth. Being an acidic drink with a dark and rich color, it also affects the outer covering and color of the teeth. White wine has even higher acid content so, if you can, avoid drinking it while eating deeply-colored foods.
Soda and Sports Drinks
These beverages have acid, dyes, and chemicals that negatively affect the enamel and lead to serious teeth discoloration. To avoid this, just opt for water if you can.
Most of the time, you won’t be able to avoid these type of food since most of them are good for the health. What you can do is to avoid letting these food linger in your mouth. Chew and swallow as quickly as possible and brush or rinse your teeth afterwards. You can also use a straw to reduce contact of acidic drinks with your teeth or take sips of water in between. Through it all, you should have regular teeth whitening sessions with dental practices like Downtown Dental to maintain your pearly whites.
(Source: The Truth About Healthy Teeth: At-Home Dental Care, WebMD, 14 April 2014)
