5 Foods That Cause Stained Teeth

Making sure that your teeth stay healthy and white requires more than just regular brushing, flossing and trips to the dentist. It often requires monitoring what you eat and drink, especially if those foods and beverages are known to stain teeth. If you are wondering why your smile is not as white as it once was, what you are eating could be to blame. Below are five foods that cause stained teeth.

Wine

It’s common knowledge that red wine stains teeth – but what many people don’t realize is that white wine will discolour your teeth just the same. Wine, red or white, has a high acid content, which can damage tooth enamel, and makes your teeth more susceptible to stains regardless of what you are eating and drinking.

Curry

Many curry dishes include turmeric: a bright, yellow plant. Unfortunately, turmeric can easily stain many surfaces, including your teeth. The same properties that give turmeric its ability to dye clothing and food also give it the ability to stain teeth.

Blueberries

Blueberries, while incredibly high in antioxidants and other beneficial chemicals and compounds, like most other red and blue berries, are notorious stainers. They are fortunately less acidic than many other fruits, and are therefore not as bad for your enamel. But anyone who has ever gotten blueberries on a white t-shirt or tablecloth knows just how potent and stubborn blueberry stains are.

Coffee

Most of us in the western world start our day with a cup of coffee. Some people drink entire pots. Coffee, like red wine, is a horrible teeth stainer. It might not be common practice, but the best way to drink coffee, and any beverage that causes teeth stains, is to do so with a straw.

It’s hard to eliminate certain foods and drinks from your diet because they are bad for your smile, especially when so many of them, such as blueberries and turmeric, are actually good for you (even a glass of red wine has been demonstrated to be beneficial for your health). However, limiting your intake of the above foods and drinks will go a long way to keeping your smile pearly white for as long as possible.